It was the presentation of Jhon Jairo Cifuente as a reinforcement for Barcelona, who will not play this year, but starting from 2020, but everything centered around the elections next month.
Just like what happened on July 23rd, when President José Francisco Cevallos' announcement of seeking re-election overshadowed Billy Arce's presentation, yesterday in the press room of the Monumental, the electoral issue again prevailed over the sport.
This time, Cevallos started by "denying rumors" that he was going to decline his candidacy due to disagreements with the Electoral Tribunal and its management of the process that officially began on Monday. The elections will be on October 5th.
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He said that "it is the first time in history that a board of directors delivers an updated and notarized member roster to access a democratic process," but he assured, without giving more details, that they will compete in "a tilted field and with an unfavorable referee". Even so, he continued, "they will not take away our joy of bringing joy to the member and the Barcelona family."
Making it clear that his candidacy remains firm and highlighting that he has reduced the economic deficit from $39 million to $29 million, the candidate to continue for four more years said that "the project must continue," then he talked about sports: he introduced Cifuente, who put on the yellow jersey and spoke about his return to the country, and once again, the conversation with the press centered on the elections.
But in case anyone thought that bringing in Cifuente is an electoral trick, Cevallos affirmed that he does not make calculations like politicians, although he has been one (Minister of Sports in the government of Rafael Correa and Governor of Guayas under Lenín Moreno).
I will wait until the last moment to decide whether I continue in the leadership or not. If José Francisco continues, even if I'm not on a list, I will support the club. Alfredo Cuentas, vice president
"We are not calculators, we are not seeking a result. We announced the candidacy at a difficult time after a thrashing in Ambato. We are firm and determined as Barcelona taught us."
His list, which will have some new faces, is almost complete, it only remains to know if Vice President Juan Alfredo Cuentas will accompany him. "They have criticized me a lot," he said.
"On Friday, we will announce the list," said the former goalkeeper and current president of the Canary Islands, who wished Carlos Alfaro Moreno, his former sports vice president and now opponent for the presidency of the club, luck, who announced his list at night. But the revelation came early last night and Cevallos published his list without Alfredo Cuentas.
Cifuente: I dreamed of being here
Although he didn't have much prominence in his presentation, John Jairo Cifuente showed happiness in joining Barcelona. "It's a dream come true," he said.
He came as a free player to sign for three seasons with the yellow team after terminating his contract with Pyramids in Egypt, where he scored only 3 goals in 14 games.
But the top scorer of the local tournament in 2018 with Universidad Católica (38 goals) said he has a personal redemption. "I've been training since I arrived. I didn't feel happy in Egypt and now I am happy to return to the country and be with my family."
In Barcelona, said President José Cevallos, they are already working on renewing Damián Díaz and Mario Pineida. (D)