Daniel Avellaneda
11/22/2020 13:00
Clarín.com
sports
Updated 11/22/2020 1:17 PM
He answers his phone during Asunción noon.
He's finishing lunch, but pauses for the talk.
Celia, the lady who helps him at home, made him pork shoulder, green salad, and sautéed potatoes.
And between sips of orange juice, he gets excited in hand-to-hand with
Clarín
.
Alejandro Domínguez, president of Conmebol,
leaves no topic untouched.
Accepts the round trip after the last date of the Qualifiers and before the knockout stages of the Libertadores and the Sudamericana.
-You always had the conviction that the Copa Libertadores was going to be played. Why did you never hesitate, despite the fact that some leagues, such as Argentina, did not decide to resume the activity?
-My policy is that the matches have to be played on the field and as leaders we have an obligation, while safeguarding health and safety, that we had to do everything possible so that the championships continue.
It is a policy that I always had and today it is more notorious.
The scale of my decisions impact much more than when I was not president.
And football is a catalyst.
So, it was a way to give a light of hope in a moment of uncertainty.
The summary is very positive.
We are the only confederation, with the 10 member associations and the governments of the entire continent, that we put together a protocol to start the championships without modifying the format.
At the same time, playing the Qualifiers.
But the fact that we have been able to play the same number of games is not a minor fact.
Talk about the seriousness of the organization.
Thanks to that, we can change the reality of financial aid and awards to regain prestige.
When the grass in your neighbor's yard is greener than yours, you have to pay attention.
Today we are an example in the world.
When we restarted our championship, the borders were closed.
-When you talk about regaining prestige, are you referring to how splattered Conmebol had been by FIFAgate?
-Not just for that.
If we get real, of course FIFAgate discredited South American football, but it is no less true that, in sporting and economic terms, it opened a very big gap with our colleagues in Europe.
25 years ago there were more South American champions than Europeans and this changed.
We do see the level of professionalization of UEFA.
In numerical terms, they have made a very big advance over their past.
Today we are at an enormous distance.
If we don't work to professionalize our football, to give clubs predictability and income, it is logical what happens.
Recovering sporting prestige and reputation will take time, but that's what we're aiming for.
Applause.
Alejandro Domínguez is satisfied with the resumption of the continental tournaments and the Qualifiers.
(Photo PRESS CONMEBOL)
-Why are we so far from the level of the big leagues?
-Because Conmebol forgot about football.
It is no surprise that the national teams are not delivering the expected results.
When these guys go to a professional stadium and are required by leagues that pay better, and I'm not saying that what we are paying today is enough, the gap with Europe is going to widen.
As an organization, all the formulas that we modify are not because we want to resemble others, but because we want to be predictable and transparent.
If we are not accountable, if we do not knowingly assist the clubs to improve the conditions of the game, it is very difficult to bridge the gap.
Conmebol did not have a development department, it was bad financially, economically and morally;
depended on contracts that were in the magnifying glass.
Today we attend clubs worth more than 95 million dollars.
We were the only ones who put those resources in and did a court, external, labor and forensic audit.
We managed to change the legal status of Conmebol in the United States Justice, which had us as a criminal organization.
Under my mandate, he appears as a collaborator and victim, we have recovered 55 million dollars, 94% from the Leoz family, from his front man, who was the personal secretary and the secretary, (Eduardo) Deluca.
- Do you think that if it had not been for Conmebol, soccer in Argentina would still be in the future? It seemed like a struggle for months, here we listened to Gonzalo Belloso, who worked actively, and the Argentine leaders did not advance.
-I can not put on or take off merits.
I can say that we assist economically and financially, but it all has to do with health decisions.
Today, unfortunately, we have Bolivia without football, but let me tell you that Argentina is a pleasant surprise.
Because even though they haven't played the championship in so many months, they are scored as favorites.
I would tell you that inactivity did them good, they play better than before the pandemic.
Affectionate relationship.
Alejandro Domínguez and Claudio Tapia made the passes after the crossing of the Copa América in Brazil.
(AFP photo)
-How is your relationship with Claudio Tapia? Last year was very hard on Conmebol after the elimination with Brazil in the Copa América.
-I have great respect and appreciation for Chiqui and he knows it.
When you have ten presidents in the Federation and they all play to win, that is normal.
I am used to it.
What is a reality is that Argentina is a championship team (sic) in any competition.
- Did it hurt you more that one of your closest leaders spoke about the black hand in the Copa América or that Lionel Messi, who is a worldwide figure, did it?
-That's a page that was turned over.
Leo apologized, prescribed the sanction and regardless of what happened, I say it as a football man, Lionel Messi is the best player in the world.
And while it is in force, we are proud that you represent South America.
He deserves to be champion of the Copa América, the World Cup and also the Libertadores.
-And do you think Messi will come to Newell's and can play the Libertadores?
-While you ask me the question, I get goose bumps.
It will generate enormous satisfaction for us.
Deep down, Messi knows that he must come to Argentina and participate in the Libertadores.
- You recently said that it is very difficult to change the culture of cheating. Is it a losing battle?
-I cannot tell you that there are no people with the intention of cheating, but in my administration there is no cheating.
Nobody handles me, I know what my commitment is, what I want for football.
It is not easy to change the mentality that in Conmebol and in football they depended on other factors within the playing field for the people who managed it.
Now, I am going to say something that can cause controversy, but for me the leader who claims for the refereeing is an amateur.
-Why do you say that?
-Because the referee will always be good, bad or mediocre, but nobody can pretend that they favor, harm or be neutral.
When you have a team to be a champion, refereeing is not essential.
If you don't have the equipment to be a champion, refereeing will not make you a champion.
I confirm: leader who claims for the arbitration is an amateur.
- Many complain, fundamentally, of the VAR. Did he come to do justice? Many times they seem to be looking for ants.
-I believe in the VAR because it does justice and there are many parties that, if it were not for the VAR, would have had different results.
It can't take that long to decide and the folks at IFAB (International Football Association Board) should review some rules.
There are a thousand things we can improve.
-For example?
-There are things that we proposed and were not taken into account.
Once the VAR intervenes, the clock has to be stopped and it is not up to the judge how much to add.
It would be the net time.
This is for discussion.
Also, the plays that are canceled because at the origin there was a fault.
They say "plays in attack".
In what part of the playing field is considered attacking?
From the moment you are in the opponent's field.
That is my interpretation, but I am not the owner of the rule.
-So, Messi's goal against Paraguay shouldn't have been annulled.
-Today, as it is written, it is well canceled.
You ask me, soccer man, if it is considered that you are in attack and I tell you that I believe that it is not an attack play that starts with the foul (N. of R: from Nicolás González to Angel Romero).
With D'Onofrio.
Alejandro Domínguez says he is linked to River as part of a campaign to pressure.
(AFP photo)
-Why do you think that in Argentina the popular imagination considers that Conmebol helps River?
-Because a campaign was made to pressure, it is the art of that ecosystem in which football lives, it is on the part of several teams that want to be champions.
But no one received any favors and will not receive them.
Paraguay that could not go to the World Cup in Russia was missing a game and was classified.
He played with the Sub 20 of Venezuela and lost.
Do you think there was a favor?
I am a native of the Olimpia leadership, I enjoyed the most desired triumphs of the club, which does not mean that I am going to do something for Olimpia.
Note that Olimpia was eliminated from the Libertadores with debatable situations.
From there to the campaigns that are generated to pressure and gain advantages, how to achieve fear ... I know what it is to win, I know what it is to lose, I know when they tell you that you are the greatest idol or the worst.
It makes me laugh when they say I have problems with Boca.
My parents were compadres of Alberto J. Armando and his wife, Mercedes.
And they were godparents to my little brother.
Nor am I going to hide my soccer friendship with Mauricio Macri.
-And who was behind that campaign?
-Good question.
If it has feathers, it walks like a duck and says quack, it's duck.
But that's it, it's already happened, the truth is very admirable what was done.
Soccer has these things and the nice thing is that the Libertadores defined itself sportingly.
And within everything that happened, because it was embarrassing for South American football, we saved the situation.
The clubs have had a behavior worthy of admiration, it had all the spices and football has revenge, who tells you that there cannot be another final between River and Boca?
Your friend Mauricio.
Alejandro Domínguez has a friendship with Macri.
Here with Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA.
(Photo EFE)
- The relationship with Boca was broken by that final that moved to Madrid?
-There was never a broken relationship with Boca.
For Tano (Daniel Angelici) I have respect and admiration.
When he was president, he did everything he had to do.
I'm not saying that he agreed and sometimes life doesn't give you what you want.
I have a nice relationship with Cristian Gribaudo and I have a great impression of (Jorge Amor) Ameal, he seemed like a man.
Miguel (Russo) is a great friend, he has great ability, he is showing that he is the right coach.
And Roman as a player was my idol, but I didn't know him.
They are in good hands.
From there to popular fantasy, what can I say?
The fans get carried away because there are irresponsible people who make them believe that things can be done that cannot be achieved.
-Have you never regretted moving the Libertadores from the continent? Would you do it again?
-It was not a plan, it was not among my objectives, but given the circumstances at that political moment, it was the right decision to have made lemon, lemonade.
We put the final of the Copa Libertadores in the mouth of the whole world.
- Did you imagine that Riquelme could be a leader?
-Riquelme is a luxury for Argentina and South America.
It is not easy to become a player to a coach or a manager and he has all the conditions to be one.
It's great that you made that commitment.
- Do you see him as Boca president in the future?
-Who knows?
Maybe he can be president of Conmebol.
Someone is going to succeed me, I am not going to be there for life.
His successor?
"Why couldn't Riquelme be the president of Conmebol?" Asks Alejandro Domínguez.
(Photo EFE)
-What balance do you make of these four disputed dates of the Qualifiers? Is it true that Conmebol interceded so that FIFA managed to unblock the conflict with the Europeans, who did not want to give up their players?
-We noticed that we had no calendar.
If they did not release the players, we were not in a position to guarantee our participation in the World Cup.
Together with Africa, we are the only confederation that was able to start the Playoffs.
And the level of contagion is below 2%, it does not reach 1.5%, our protocols have been effective.
It is all due to our position.
Our seriousness.
It seems to me little serious that they have not started on other continents.
Concacaf did not start.
If we could, why can't the rest?
Most of the footballers come from Europe and getting here when there are a limited number of commercial flights is not easy.
We do it.
Why couldn't the rest do it?
-Do you think the Libertadores and South American finals can be played with an audience?
-There is a commitment from the Brazilian government, but this will vary depending on the behavior of the virus.
Today both finals are held in Córdoba and Rio de Janeiro and we are going to adapt to the rules.
The ones in charge of the Ministry of Health will impose the rules.
If they say there is no audience, there won't be.
If they say 30%, there will be 30% and if they say 50%, it will be 50%.
It all depends on the national authorities.
-And the Copa América?
-There are very professional people, both in Colombia and Argentina, working for the tournament.
Whether there is a public will depend on the effectiveness of the vaccine, there we are tighter.
I hope this is as encouraging as they say.
Today we cannot rush.
-Will the current formats have any modifications for the next few years?
-The Copa Libertadores is not modified.
There is a new format for the Copa Sudamericana, there will be more clubs participating and more competition.
As a result of this modification, more money will be generated.
You have to sustain the level of income and awards.
It hit us that O'Globo and Dazn have terminated the contract.
We are on trial.
And just as we beat Global SA, we are going to do it with the Brazilians.
Despite having the firm resolution of the Swiss Supreme Court, Paco Casal has not yet made the payment to Conmebol.
It's $ 11 million.
- Could you speak with Paco Casal?
-I had neither the chance nor the interest, people who do not comply with the signed commitments, are not serious.
And what is happening with Brazil has no precedent.
The Argentine touch in Conmebol
People of all nationalities work in the Luque mole.
However, there is a key man.
He is Gonzalo Belloso, Deputy Secretary General of Soccer and Director of Development of Conmebol.
The former striker for Rosario Central, Lanús and Racing, among others, was one of the leaders who was most active in talks with his colleagues from Argentine clubs to promote the return of continental tournaments.
Another role.
Gonzalo Belloso changed the ankle boots for the suit.
He is Deputy Secretary of Soccer and Director of Development of Conmebol.
(Photo PRESS CONMEBOL)
"The federations, governments and the determination of the clubs, players and coaches, who also wanted to play, have helped us enormously. Many were skeptical about the situation with Conmebol, but we managed to organize the Libertadores and the Sudamericana, in addition to managing the trip. of the footballers who play in Europe for their national teams ", says
Pejerrey
with satisfaction
.
