The escalating dispute between Universidad Católica and LigaPro continues to unfold, with the club now signaling its intent to pursue legal action following the postponement of their highly anticipated match against Emelec. The decision, initially announced on , has sparked accusations of a lack of transparency and fairness from the ‘cammarata’ side, casting a shadow over the start of the Ecuadorian Serie A season.
According to a statement released by Universidad Católica, LigaPro failed to provide the club with physical documentation supporting the stated security concerns that led to the suspension. Luis Roggiero, the club’s manager, was reportedly only shown information on a computer, a point of contention that fuels the club’s claims of insufficient justification for the postponement. This lack of tangible evidence has deepened the sense of frustration and distrust within the Universidad Católica organization.
The core of the disagreement centers around the information LigaPro presented as the basis for its decision. Universidad Católica alleges that the information received consisted of three key elements: a request from Emelec related to upcoming elections, a response from the Guayas Intendency requesting further information to provide security, a complaint filed by Emelec with the Fiscalía (Prosecutor’s Office) alleging harassment, and a recommendation from the Intendency against allowing Emelec to travel outside the province, citing a lack of jurisdiction over events occurring outside of Guayas. The club views this as insufficient grounds for postponing a match scheduled to take place in Quito.
The situation began to unravel when Emelec reportedly requested a postponement due to concerns about team composition and financial constraints, according to sources. LigaPro then cited “a cause of force majeure related to security” as the official reason for rescheduling the match, a justification Universidad Católica vehemently rejects. The club argues that the authorities cited by LigaPro – the Intendency of Guayaquil and the Governorate of Guayas – lack jurisdiction over an event planned in Quito, further bolstering their claim that the decision was improperly influenced.
Fidel Egas, Universidad Católica’s president, has been particularly vocal in his criticism, directly accusing Miguel Ángel Loor, the president of LigaPro, of making a biased decision. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Egas threatened legal action and demanded financial restitution from Loor personally, rather than from LigaPro’s funds. He also stated the club’s intention to proceed with the match as scheduled on , despite the official postponement.
The timing of the suspension is particularly sensitive, coinciding with the Carnival holiday and the ongoing elections for the Federación Ecuatoriana de Fútbol (FEF). Esteban Paz, a candidate in the FEF elections, reportedly has the backing of Miguel Ángel Loor, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and the impartiality of LigaPro’s decision-making process. This adds another layer of complexity to the already contentious situation.
Universidad Católica’s official statement, released on , expressed regret that Emelec would “again try to win at the negotiating table what corresponds to be disputed on the field.” The club reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fair competition, and respect for the rules of Ecuadorian football. LigaPro, however, maintains that the postponement was a necessary measure to ensure the safety and integrity of all involved, citing a causal force majeure.
The league explained in a communication to clubs that the decision was based on reports received from the General Intendency of Police of Guayas and the Governorate of Guayas regarding the situation affecting the visiting team. However, this explanation has done little to quell the growing discontent from Universidad Católica, who believe the postponement was motivated by factors beyond genuine security concerns.
The dispute highlights a broader tension between clubs and LigaPro regarding the scheduling and management of the Ecuadorian Serie A. Universidad Católica’s strong stance and threat of legal action signal a willingness to challenge the authority of the league and demand greater transparency in its decision-making processes. The outcome of this conflict could have significant implications for the future of the league and the relationship between its governing body and its member clubs.
As of , no new date for the rescheduled match has been announced. Universidad Católica has indicated it is preparing to present its formal complaints and pursue legal remedies, setting the stage for a potentially protracted battle with LigaPro. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected in the coming days as the club seeks to defend its interests and uphold the principles of fair play.
