President of the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF), Agustin Lozano, will have to testify before the Public Ministry after this organization decided to unexpectedly open a preliminary investigation against him for the questionable complaint filed by Oscar Romero, head of the Professional Football Sports Association (ADFP), in the midst of the controversy with some clubs in the Liga 1 over the negotiation of the tournament's television rights.
The complaint against the head of the FPF was filed due to his "alleged commission of the crimes of extortion, coercion and organized crime," details a document published by the Fiscalia de la Nacion.
In addition to Lozano, Romero included 12 other directors of the governing body of Peruvian football in his complaint, including Jean Marcel Robilliard, secretary of the board of directors. All those involved were invited to testify in order to "provide details regarding the matters under investigation."
Romero accused Lozano of allegedly leading a criminal organization. Photo: Public Ministry
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The president of the ADFP accuses Lozano of leading a criminal organization through which he would be carrying out alleged "extortionate acts" against some teams in the Peruvian championship in order to "obtain the television broadcasting rights" of those teams.
Romero points out that one of the alleged "extortionate" practices by the FPF is the public warning made by the institution regarding the risk of exclusion from tournaments organized by CONMEBOL for clubs that do not align with the current statutes, as well as the possible loss of category.
The accusing party also alleges that the statutes on which the FPF is based were approved in an "irregular and illegal" manner, and that the bidding for the broadcasting rights of the Liga 1 2023 "failed" due to a lack of bidders, as the company 1190 Sports did not participate in said bidding, but rather made an "off-market" offer.
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Judicial Power grants precautionary measure in favor of the FPF
Last Friday, the Seventh Civil Court issued a precautionary measure in favor of the FPF in its lawsuit against the Consorcio Futbol Peru (GolPeru), which suspended the effects of the contracts signed between some clubs and this television group.
"The respondents, or any company linked or connected to them, are ordered to refrain from entering into any act or legal transaction related to said audiovisual transmission rights until the conclusion of this process," reads the resolution.
FPF obtains precautionary measure and contracts between consortium and teams of Liga 1 are ordered to be suspended. Photo: Twitter/Gustavo Peralta
This way, the situation of clubs such as Alianza Lima and Universitario, who reached an agreement with GolPeru to renew their contract after initially opposing the new model proposed by the FPF and 1190 Sports, remains uncertain.
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FPF speaks out after precautionary measure
This Saturday, the FPF's website issued a statement reaffirming the organization's position regarding its ownership of the television broadcasting rights for the Liga 1 2023 and justifying the process initiated against the Consorcio Futbol Peru.
"This measure was initiated by the FPF upon receiving information from various sources regarding possible new agreements or contract renewals that the current operator intended to carry out without the consent of the FPF regarding its transmission rights," the statement says at the beginning.
"All the terms of the FPF statutes are fully valid and binding on its members. Likewise, it must be ensured that all actions carried out by the Federation are previously informed to FIFA and CONMEBOL," adds the FPF.