The Ecuadorian Attorney General's Office has clarified that the new Sports Law does not allow for a third consecutive term for officials in sports organizations, particularly impacting the elections in the Ecuadorian Football Federation.
The Ecuadorian Attorney General's Office issued a statement on March 1, 2026, clarifying that the newly enacted Sports Law, registered on February 11, does not disrupt the counting of leadership periods established under previous regulations. This clarification comes amidst elections within the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF), where incumbent president Francisco Egas is seeking re-election for a third consecutive term, a move which has received approvals from FIFA and Conmebol.
Egas's candidacy was officially registered, but his rival Esteban Paz's list faced rejection at the initial stage, which will be contested. According to the Attorney General's letter, the provisions of the new Sports Law, specifically the Unique Derogatory Provision and the Twelfth Transitional Provision, affirm that the enforcement of this law will not interrupt or alter the calculation of leadership periods, thereby impacting Egas’s ambitions to secure a third term.
This decision holds significant implications for the governance of sports in Ecuador, as it upholds the integrity of term limits, ensuring that leadership roles within sports organizations do not become entrenched in the hands of a few individuals. It highlights the importance of adherence to legal frameworks in sports governance, particularly as Ecuador prepares for key electoral changes in its football organization.
