The Ecuadorian Football Federation must pay a sum close to USD 2 million plus interest until the payment date to coach Gustavo Alfaro and the members of the technical staff who worked with the Ecuadorian National Team between September 2020 and the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The FIFA Player Statute Chamber communicated today its decision regarding the payment claims filed by the Argentine professionals last April.
In its decision, FIFA grants a 45-day period to settle this debt and if it fails to do so, the FEF will not receive the corresponding money for the 20% of the participation fee in the World Cup. Due to this payment default, the case would be referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. However, the FEF can appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS).
On January 31 of this year, during the Ordinary Congress of the FEF in Guayaquil, President Francisco Egas reported that the debt to Gustavo Alfaro and his coaching staff, for salaries and bonuses, amounted to USD 290,000, nearly 10% of the total debt, which was justified by the coaches through FIFA.
Gustavo Alfaro took over as coach of the Ecuadorian National Team in September 2020. He had a successful campaign in the Eliminatories and secured qualification for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Additionally, he reached the quarterfinals of the 2021 Copa America, where he was eliminated by the champion, Argentina.