Universidad Católica's president stated that the club is seeking to claim points from Emelec for their absence in a rescheduled match, but a sports law expert indicates this claim is not valid.
Pablo Ortiz, the president of Universidad Católica, expressed that the club is pursuing a claim for points from Emelec for failing to present their team at the rescheduled match. According to Ortiz, they waited the specified 30 minutes as per the regulations before deciding to take action. This situation arose after the Liga Profesional de Fútbol de Ecuador officially rescheduled the match, which led Universidad Católica to prepare for a game they believed officiated at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium.
Regulations stipulate that a team must wait 30 minutes to determine if the opposition will show up, a period that can be extended under certain circumstances. However, in this particular case, a sports law expert highlighted that the regulations do not apply, as there was no official scheduling of the match to begin with, indicating that Emelec’s absence does not warrant a sanction or claim for points.
The situation reflects the complexities of sports regulations and the challenges clubs face when matches are rescheduled. It emphasizes the importance of clear communication and compliance with rules to ensure fair play and adherence in professional football. This case might set a precedent regarding how similar situations are handled in the future within Ecuadorian football.
