Colón: Pivotal week to lift the FIFA ban | OneFootball

Colón is experiencing crucial days on the institutional front. The club began the week still included in FIFA's list of sanctioned clubs due to the debt owed to Paraguayan defender Alberto Espínola, but there is optimism in the halls of Brigadier López. The rojinegra management is confident that if negotiations progress as planned, this could be the last week with the sanction in effect.

The sanction is no small matter: it fully impacts sports planning and forces decisions to be postponed while the calendar moves forward. Therefore, the absolute focus is on resolving the economic conflict and completing the necessary administrative steps to be re-enabled.

The Block That Conditions the Market

With the sanction active, Colón's hands are tied. Any new signing that is negotiated cannot be officially used until the sanction is lifted, a scenario that cools talks and generates caution both in the club and among players and representatives.

Although there is still time before the tournament begins, the management understands that they cannot continue delaying a decision that conditions every move. First, they must settle pending issues; only then can they proceed more firmly in building the squad.

The Priority: Settle with Espínola and Notify FIFA

The key step of the week will be reaching a definitive agreement with Espínola. Once the debt is settled, Colón will need to complete the formal procedures with FIFA for the sanction to be officially lifted. Only then will the Sabalero be free to operate without restrictions in the transfer market.

The expectation is that this process can be resolved in the short term, although it all depends on gathering the required amount and meeting the administrative timelines of the international body.

A Sanction That Also Affects the Image

Beyond the regulations, being sanctioned also leaves a mark on the club's reputation. In the football environment, appearing with open sanctions tends to generate distrust and requires additional explanations in every negotiation.

At Colón, they are aware of this wear and consider it a priority to rid themselves of a situation that currently acts as a permanent "alert" for the market.

A Claim Raised Without Room for Negotiation

The debt with Espínola is around $400,000, a significant amount for the club's current finances. From the player's side, the stance is firm: there will be no payment plan, which necessitates a direct settlement.

Before the elections, José Alonso had been clear on the matter in LT10: "A sanction is not discussed, it is resolved. We need to organize and put up the money. Today, financial matters weigh more than economic ones."

Resolve First, Project Later

With several open negotiations and the need to strengthen the squad, Colón understands there is no room for further delays. The immediate goal is singular: lift the sanction and leave behind a problem that conditions the present.

If the sanction is lifted in the coming days, the Sabalero will be able to approach the market with different support and start building the future without restrictions, knowing that before thinking about reinforcements, they had to win a key match in the offices.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.