Melgar Denounces Payment Issues with Peruvian Football Federation
Background on the Dispute
The conflict between FBC Melgar and the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) has intensified as the club’s administrator, Ricardo Bettocchi, publicly denounced that FPF owes the Arequipa club for television rights related to a contract with 1190 Sports, effective since 2023. In a recent interview with Successful, Bettocchi stated emphatically, “We are the only ones who are not paid as a club.”
Warnings Ignored
Bettocchi recalled that Melgar had foreseen the potential challenges with the new television rights system prior to its implementation. He mentioned, “It is a complex issue because we were one of the only clubs that in the end were left alone. The model that was being presented had a lot of flaws that are being seen now. We said it in 2021 before absolutely anything happened, because the Peruvian model, with piracy, was not going to work.”
Before the current agreement with 1190 Sports, clubs were not directly at risk as payments were handled by the television company. However, a change in management under Agustin Lozano forced clubs to sign new contracts with this company, effectively shifting the risk onto the individual clubs.
Current Situation and Repercussions
Bettocchi further explained that, under the new contract, the FPF has failed to make any payments since 2023. He remarked, “We are not TV specialists; we are dedicated to football. What ends up happening is that the FPF requires us to sign a contract with this new company. He [Lozano] is clear that as of today, he has not paid us.”
If the circumstances were different, Bettocchi speculated that the FPF would have acted more decisively, possibly ensuring that other clubs were not left in similar financial limbo. He underscored the seriousness of the situation, stating, “We have not received any payment for television rights in the last two years.”
Demand for Compliance
The ongoing conflict comes in light of significant changes to the broadcasting system for the Decentralized Tournament, which has left Melgar particularly vulnerable. The club has called for the FPF to honor its contractual obligations and highlighted the flaws in the new broadcasting system, which they claim have become increasingly apparent.
Bettocchi has reiterated that Melgar raised these concerns back in 2021, asserting that their warnings went unheeded, leading to the current financial discrepancies between the club and the FPF.
Conclusion: Future Implications
As Melgar continues to navigate this troubled relationship with the Peruvian soccer leadership, the ongoing lack of payment could have broader repercussions. The club remains firm in its demand for compliance with its contracts and the resolution of outstanding debts to prevent further impact on their operations and future engagements.
Melgar’s situation serves as a critical reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in administrative actions within football federations, particularly in relation to financial dealings that directly affect the clubs and players involved.