The Liga de Quito took an important step in its match to reach the final of the Liga Pro by recovering the three points that had been withdrawn as sanción. This progress, the result of a favorable failure in his appeal, keeps the crew with the possibility of defining their destiny on the last day of the second stage of the Ecuadorian championship.
With this turn in the scores, the team still scores 32 points on the position table, which places them at the top, with a score of three points above their main pursuer, Independent del Valle. Also, keep in mind that a goal difference of +14 is a key factor that refers to your favoritism to reach the title.
Currently, the League of Quito finds itself in a privileged position of dear in the last day. In his next match, he will meet at Deportivo Cuenca in the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado, where he will try to consolidate his leadership. For its part, the Independiente del Valle, which occupies second place with 29 points, will meditate against Orense in a position to visit the Estadio 9 de Mayo de Machala. Both matches will be decisive to determine which of the two teams will advance to the grand final of the tournament.
The solution of the case: a failure in favor of the Quito League
On November 28, 2024, the Comisión Disciplinaria de la Federación Ecuatoriana de Fútbol (FEF) met to analyze the appeal presented by the Liga de Quito tras la sanción que le retiró tres puntos en la tabla. This same day, at 6pm, the Tribunal de Apelación notified its decision: the appeal presented by the club was accepted, the sanction was revoked and the three points were returned.
In an official statement, the League of Quito expressed its satisfaction with the failure:
«The Tribunal de Apelación de la Federación Ecuatoriana de Fútbol accepted the appeal lodged by the Liga Deportiva Universitaria, revoking resolution CD 084-2024. This allowed me to transfer the three points initially left to the club, as well as lifting the ban on negotiating players.”
However, even if the failure was favorable, the FEF maintained the economic fine that had been imposed on the club. According to the League of Quito, the financial penalty was paid, but the withdrawal by notifying his contribution to the FEF caused the controversy that led to the initial loss of points. This administrative abandonment was the origin of the conflict which, fortunately for the crew, resolved the problem in their favor.
Reasons beyond the initial sanction
The conflict began on November 16, 2024, when, just three days before the start of the Liga Pro match, the FEF notified the Quito League of a sanction that would have restored three points to it in the second phase of the tournament and in the accumulated table.
The sanction was attributed due to the failure to fulfill economic obligations related to ties with players Renato Ibarra and Franklin Guerra. According to the FEF, the club did not accumulate damage within the stable plate with the financial compromises towards these futbolists, which resulted from the application of the penalty.
Subsequently, the League of Quito resolved itself as two: it made a payment agreement with Renato Ibarra and settled the pending debt with Franklin Guerra. However, the initial sanction remained until the club lodged its appeal and the Court of Appeal studied the arguments. Ultimately, the decision recognized that the League of Quito had fulfilled its obligations, which allowed the points to be returned.
A development that keeps the final options alive
With the three points recovered, La Liga Quito is now in control of its own destiny. His sale on Independiente del Valle, both in points and in goal difference, makes him the main candidate to play in the championship final. In this context, its match against Deportivo Cuenca will be decisive in selling its ranking.
On the other hand, Independiente del Valle, which is still at the top with 29 points, needs a victory against Orense and hopes for a trophy in the Quito League to take over the leader. The pressure is on both teams, as the last day of the second leg will define who will meet the player from the first leg in the grand final.
A championship full of emotions and challenges
This Liga Pro season has proven to be one of the most competitive in recent years. Teams like Liga de Quito, Independiente del Valle and other contenders maintained an intense pace, with adjusted results and emotions until the last minute.
The case of the sanction and subsequent return of points to the Quito League has not only generated controversy, but also underestimated the importance of the administrative management of football clubs. In addition to talent on the field, the right way to manage financial obligations and administrative processes has become a crucial factor for success on and off the pitch.
With the last match in sight of the team, the expectation of knowing the Liga Pro finalist is at its highest point. The Quito league, with its advantages in terms of points and goal difference, is the favorite, but football always has room for surprises. What is certain is that fans will experience a day full of intensity, as every minute and every game will be decisive in defining the next contender for the title.
