Ecuador begins qualification for the 2026 World Cup with sanctions ranging from the sports level to the disciplinary level, the latter with repercussions in the economic field due to fulfilling a “partial closure of the stadium” according to the FIFA ruling met in January of this year.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Commission imposed on the Ecuadorian Football Association a a fine of 20,000 Swiss francs ($21,592) and it sanctioned this by closing part of its stadium (the stands behind the goals) due to violation of Art. 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (Discrimination) as a result of chanting by Ecuadorian fans during the Qatar-Ecuador match at the FIFA World Cup. This sanction will be applied in the next official match played by their senior men’s team in a FIFA competition,” announced the rector of world football last January.

“FIFA fined us for the chants against Chile at the World Cup,” says Francisco Egas, president of the FEF

This one the sanction must be applied in the September 12 match against Uruguayin the first match of the Tribunal as the home team in the qualification process for the 2026 World Cup.

But it’s not all bad news according to the President of the Federation, Francisco Egaswhich detailed the reduction of spaces in the stadium that will not be available to the public.

Although the sanction expresses it “stands behind the goals” must be closed, that at Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium it would reach approximately 9,000 places In the lower drawers of the general ones, Egas informed that there will be about 2,000 places that will be abolished by this provision.

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“They told us that there must be at least 2,000 seats, but that is small in relation to the fact that we had to close two generals”, said the manager in a dialogue with Football studio.

To receive this discount on closed seats, Egas explained that the FEF “sent a plan” to raise awareness among fans about discriminatory attitudes in stadiums.

With this “Structures with positive messages will be placed in those spaces. We are waiting for the final approval of the model by FIFA, but in theory yes. There will be 1,200 (seats) on one side and 800 on the other side“, the manager explained.

The information on ticket sales for the match against Celeste they would meet this thursday and the process will start on Monday, September 4. “all 100% online” and in person, states Egas. (D)