Carlos Alejandro Alfaro Moreno, President of Barcelona Sporting Club, Discusses Future Plans

Carlos Alejandro Alfaro Moreno, president of Barcelona Sporting Club, discussed several topics, including strengthening the team that won the 2020 title, his relationship with LigaPro, and his proposal to donate the old lights from the Monumental stadium to the Echaleche venue, owned by Mushuc Runa.

Alfaro Moreno, in an interview with radio Caravana, said: "We are excited and proud of the great team we have formed. I have the feeling that we have enhanced ourselves compared to the team that became champions. With much excitement, hope, and the determination to fight for everything we compete in."

The transfer window has closed for the team, and the executive said: "The last addition was León, and we consider the team closed for the start of the year. We hope that there are no surprises, such as the sale of a player, because the goal is to keep the team until at least the first half of the year. We want to compete in the group stage and aim for the bicampeonato. I believe we will fight."

"The intention is for the coach to have different alternatives to face the championship and the Copa Libertadores. Each match is a different story. 2020 was not a normal year to work, for example, alternating between a backline of three and four, that's something we talked about with Fabián. Today, there is time and the necessary elements to work on each situation and each position or tactical formation (...) Last year, people talked about having a small squad and I did not agree with that. If a championship was won, it was because we had a good squad, but today we are more balanced. We do not belittle last year's squad; it was tough because it was interrupted and then we played every three days, but we finished with a huge joy. We dreamt of a victory lap in Casa Blanca, and it was surreal to realize it was not a dream. We must not relax; dreams come true by working with faith," he added.

Regarding the administration of LigaPro in the national championship, Alfaro Moreno stated: "I find it very difficult to respond to individuals. I am a communicator and I try not to engage in confrontation. Without naming names, I will express my opinion: LigaPro has taken us to a higher level of professionalism, and I say this because I played before. They have made us much more professional, especially during the pandemic. I like the organization, knowing the fixture and everything that has been achieved. Before, we complained about not knowing when we would start and when we would finish. As Barcelona, we are proud to be part of this new stage in Ecuadorian football. When clubs complain, not the big ones, I remind them that before, teams negotiated their television rights on their own, and now that contract is not convenient. Barcelona would negotiate for twice the amount; we have that feeling, and we have investigated it. So, I remind the clubs that complain that, if they receive what they receive, it is because the big clubs stop receiving what they are entitled to. If we get angry and this situation is at risk, as Barcelona, it is convenient for us to negotiate. We must be grateful for what we receive. We are not satisfied with what we receive, but we do not publicly complain."

Regarding the strict financial control applied by LigaPro, the president of the team said: "I do not have that feeling because as Barcelona, we have been controlled by LigaPro. We have always worked under the rules imposed on us. Since last year, we had planned a budget reduction, which also applies for this year. Our team costs nine million dollars, plus logistics, tax payments, and additional expenses that add up to eleven million. Those are the real numbers known to Liga Pro, and we stick to them to address our situation."

He also revealed details about the relationship between Barcelona and GolTV. "It is very good, with dialogue, and we always remind them that, in addition to owning the broadcasting rights, they are one of our most important sponsors. We had a GolTV team at our preseason, and they own all of our matches. We have a fluid dialogue, which we hope will continue."

Donating the Old Monumental Lights to the Mushuc Runa Stadium

"First, when this topic, or any situation that generates conflicts, is discussed, it becomes newsworthy. It is difficult to make news when peace is being talked about. It saddens me, but we seem to constantly seek conflict, especially when it involves Barcelona. We do not go to Echaleche because there are no lights, and I even proposed to the LigaPro board to donate the old lights from the Monumental stadium to that venue. We go where we are told, but Barcelona, because of its media exposure, must play at certain times."

Aspiration for the Monumental to Host the Libertadores Final

"We are applying for 2021, 2022, or 2023. We have been in talks with the Municipality of Guayaquil, considering the impact it could have on the city, but we are in a pandemic. We hope that this will be resolved gradually, but we are aiming for 2022 because of Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín. What better publicity than having the final here? We will work to achieve it; we have made good progress. We will start a campaign focused on that, so we hope that by then we will already be living in a certain normality." (D)