Amílcar Mantilla, executive of the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF), recalled that "by regulation" Barcelona and Emelec –as well as other clubs whose regulatory body is the Ecuafútbol– "are obligated" to participate in the Copa Ecuador, a tournament organized by the FEF.
Both teams from Astillero announced, on Monday morning, their withdrawal from the second edition of the national competition due to the healthcare and economic crisis caused by the new coronavirus pandemic in the country. However, they stated that the LigaPro and Conmebol tournaments are fixed in their plans.
This is a "rushed decision," according to Mantilla, the fourth principal vocal of the FEF's board, as he said in an interview with radio La Redonda: "Barcelona and Emelec should not have rushed to make a decision. Who knows if we can't even play LigaPro (first division). Nothing is real, everything is speculation; I see no clarity on any front."
"Barcelona and Emelec should not have rushed to make decisions. Who knows if we won't be able to play LigaPro this year?" Amílcar Mantilla, FEF executive
According to the initial schedule of the FEF, all teams in the first division, including Barcelona and Emelec, should start their participation in the Copa Ecuador in June of this year, even though the competition is postponed.
"How can we make a decision if we don't know when the competition (end of the worldwide sports pause) will start? Nothing is clear, so we cannot take measures," added Mantilla.
He also spoke about the rule regarding sanctions: "The regulations say that clubs are obligated to participate in tournaments organized by their regulatory body, the FEF; I don't want it to be thought that there will be sanctions, but clubs and the FEF must exercise prudence."
Decisions are "in line with the current situation"
The reflections in Barcelona and Emelec with regard to their confirmed withdrawal from the Copa Ecuador this year are "in line with the situation currently being experienced" in the country due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This was estimated by Patricio Cornejo, commentator on radio Caravana, who believes that the recent decisions in Astillero respond to a possible impossibility to fulfill all commitments made in 2020.
"People (directors, in this case) meditate and think about how they will be able to fulfill them; so it's better to say right away that it won't be possible," he analyzed.
According to the original planning of the Ecuadorian Football Federation, both Barcelona and Emelec should start their participation in the Copa Ecuador in June of this year. However, the competition is suspended until further notice, since March 18.
According to Cornejo, the positions of Barcelona and Emelec "can be an example" for other smaller clubs, mainly in LigaPro's first division.
"In addition to making excuses, it may be an example (the decision): it is done to see if other teams join without having to agree beforehand," he considered.
And about the Copa Ecuador, he stated: "There are even those who think that there is not much incentive (to play it), beyond the desire to play. It would be a shame, the first edition was not bad." (D)