The increase in violence in all the cities of
Ecuador
, the constant bomb threats in public spaces and the presence of narco-terrorist gangs caused the president,
Daniel Noboa
, to announce the
state of war for 60 days
and therefore the suspension of massive events.
A few days before the so-called
"Yellow Night"
, in which Barcelona de Guayaquil presents its squad and reinforcements for the season, the Minister of Government, Esteban Torres, surprised with his announcement: "Football matches will surely not be suspended, but for moment must be played without an audience, until there is a decision that allows the presence of fans in the stadiums," he said.
The announcement forced the leadership of the "bullfighter" club to postpone the event (scheduled for Saturday the 3rd) while waiting for dialogue with the authorities and an agreement to be reached so that the fans can go to the stadium.
If it is not authorized, President
Antonio Álvarez
was emphatic in warning that it will be permanently suspended.
The measure would affect the "pocket" of the clubs, since according to official reports from 2023, only between Barcelona, Emelec and Liga de Quito, approximately 3 million dollars in tickets were generated.
Money from advertising brands and transmission rights would also be an item that would be reduced this year.
Military members of the Ecuadorian army in the streets of the country, during the state of war (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)
However, the problem goes beyond the Barcelona show;
Also, the first date of the Pro League scheduled for Friday, February 16, which begins with the Macará match against Liga de Quito, must be played
behind closed doors
.
The President of the Pro League,
Miguel Ángel Loor,
was definitive: "We will see how to analyze the issue internally, but we have to follow the orders. We want to play, have an audience, and if they tell us that it is not safe, ready, or talk," he explained.
Immediately, the clubs announced that they will request before the Council of Presidents that the first date be postponed for up to two weeks.
The home place of the Ecuadorian clubs in the
Copa Libertadores
and
Sudamericana
is also in danger.
In the case of
Aucas
, which is the first team to debut against Nacional from Paraguay, they should play behind closed doors or move the match to another country.
On February 22,
Liga de Quito
hosts Fluminense for the first final of the
Recopa Sudamericana
at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium, but the measure applies until March, so the "albos" could not count on their fans for this match.
Liga de Quito celebrates winning the 2023 Copa Sudamericana in Uruguay.
(Photo by Alejandro Aparicio / AFP)
There is great concern among Pro League teams since any modification to the calendar would alter the teams' planning, especially for participants in international tournaments.
However, playing without an audience would generate considerable economic losses, this in a context in which of the 16 teams participating in the first division, only four (Independiente del Valle, Mushuc Runa, Delfín and Orense) enjoy good financial health.