César Luis Merlo, an Argentinian journalist who preceded the Ecuadorian Football Federation in announcing that Gustavo Alfaro had decided not to renew his contract as national team coach, said on February 27 that the coach had intimidated the FEF “so that they paid a million-dollar debt that includes back wages and rewards for him and his coaching staff.” Merlo added regarding “if they don’t pay him, there will be demands at FIFA.”

After 24 hours of Merlo’s announcement on social media, Argentina has learned that the coach who led the Tricolores to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has reportedly sent the FEF through his legal advisers a “request for the payment of his outstanding obligations”.

Alfaro’s lawyers have been waiting since March 1 for Ecuafútbol to give them an answer within ten days. If the body chaired by Francisco Egas does not contact Alfaro, he would submit his request to FIFA.

Until March 11

On Saturday, March 11, the date that Alfaro gave to the Federation expired. Will there be demand? This Monday newspaper the marketof Quito, insists that a legal dispute is imminent and quotes a source close to Alfaro, who has not been named, as ensuring that there will be lawsuits.

Part of the note says: “The deadline to regulate the contractual situation of Gustavo Alfaro and his coaching staff has expired. As expected, due to the way the Federation decided to function, they did not receive an answer. This no longer leaves the possibility for the coach and his associates to raise and submit a formal complaint to FIFA with associated disciplinary requirements. The appeal will be made official in the next few days.

On February 28, EL UNIVERSO contacted an official informed of Alfaro’s employment with the FEF, between 2020 and 2022. On condition that his identity not be revealed, the source spoke of Alfaro’s alleged intention to sue their former employers.

As stated by the portal double yellow, from Argentina, “the figures presented by (the Federation on the debt to DT) would not be the same as Alfaro claims. That report (given by Francisco Egas on January 31) officially says $290,000, while Alfaro’s side assures that the amount owed is more than ten times higher. It was Ariel Reck, an Argentinian lawyer specializing in sports law, who sent the FEF formal requests for the payment of pending debts on behalf of Alfaro and his coaching staff, which constitutes default.”

‘Alfaro will charge’

This version gave the source of this Diary: “None of it was seen. I saw on social media that they said they sent a letter, but nothing is visible on the FEF. It is not known if they sent him to Francisco (Egas), but he is traveling,” a person connected to Ecuafútbol said on Tuesday. “If something came in the mail, it is possible that it is in the hands of Francisco Egas or the general secretary, but nothing has been reported (to the board).”

added; “It would not be unusual for them to send a letter (from Alfaro’s legal sponsors), that is what accounts for the delay. I think we would all do the same.” And as for the “million dollar debt” that would reportedly exceed $2 million, a source told EL UNIVERSO, regarding the amount, that “it’s not like that.”

“As far as I know, that is not the case (ten times more than the $290,000 that FEF admits). Will need to see what he is looking for and if he has contractual support. The problem is happening because FIFA has not yet paid and everything is late,” he stressed.

“Gustav Alfaro must be paid the prize for the qualifications (for Qatar 2022), and this comes from the money that FIFA has to cancel precisely because of playing the World Cup. If (the money) has not arrived, there is nowhere to continue the draw. As soon as FIFA makes the transfer, the postponement will be fulfilled,” he concluded. (D)