National COE denies the presence of the public at Capwell Stadium for the Blue Explosion

50% of the capacity of the George Capwell stadium is announced for the official friendly match of the Explosión Azul between Emelec and Millonarios de Colombia, but the national Emergency Operations Committee (COE) prohibited the entry of fans on Monday due to various situations.

Through a statement, the national COE indicates that, in view of the fact that “the recommendations set forth in the coordination meeting prior to the Emelec vs. Independiente del Valle”, in the final second leg of the LigaPro Serie A 2021 tournament, played at the Capwell, among other “background”, that control body accepted the recommendation of the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) “so that it develop without an audience” the Blue Explosion.

In this sense, the national COE urges the National Risk and Emergency Management Service, “in accordance with the provisions of articles 6 and 7 of the Organic Law on the Prevention and Punishment of Violence in Sport”, to classify the event Blue Explosion “as HIGH Risk, as long as there is no security, prevention and risk management plan that guarantees effective capacity control and biosecurity measures.” This despite the fact that the epidemiological situation of the Guayaquil canton “has improved” regarding the wave of COVID-19 cases between last December and January.

Additionally, the National COE requests that the Ministry of Government “order the Guayas Police General Intendancy to revoke the permits and authorizations for the development of sports events with the public at the Capwell Stadium, by means of a reasoned resolution, as long as there is no security, prevention and risk management plan that guarantees effective capacity control and biosecurity measures”.

The day that the Public Relations area of ​​the blue entity reported that the tickets for the Tribuna San Martín locality had been sold out, although the millionaire club for health reasons promoted the traditional annual party with the restriction of its capacity to 50% of the total capacity of the Capwell -estimated at some 39,000 spectators-, the national COE shows a firm position.

Barcelona SC and the FEF

Two weeks ago the national COE, which today denies the presence of the public at the Capwell stadium, rejected the request made by the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) to play the qualifying match for the Qatar World Cup between the National Team with reduced capacity. and Brazil in the Rodrigo Paz. In the same way, it proceeded with respect to the request of Barcelona SC for the entry of fans to the Yellow Night of last January 29.

However, in the denial of the FEF’s requirement, the national COE backed down. He announced, on Wednesday, January 26, that the presence of the public on the Quito stage was approved. The new measure was taken by the national COE upon receiving, 24 hours before, a request from the President of the Republic to “analyze again, under technical criteria, the possibility of holding the sporting event with 50% of the capacity.”

And as for the request from Barcelona SC, Juan Zapata, director of the national COE, transferred the responsibility of deciding to the cantonal COE because, he said, the body he heads did not have the competence to resolve that issue. (D)