Colón racing against time: deadline looms to pay Alberto Espínola | OneFootball

Colón is going through critical hours to resolve Alberto Espínola’s contractual situation, with his debt keeping the red-and-black leadership on edge. The club is working against the clock to secure a loan that would allow them to settle the Paraguayan footballer’s full claim and avoid an imminent FIFA sanction, which could be enforced as soon as next Monday.

The right-back rejected the installment payment plan proposed by the Santa Fe club, demanding the amount be paid in a single payment. The claim amounts to 375,000 dollars plus 12,859,500 pesos, both with an annual interest rate of 5%, and the FIFA deadline is October 17. If Colón does not comply with the ruling, it will be automatically banned from registering players, a sanction that would directly affect the sporting plans for next season.

The payment plan the board presented to Espínola contemplated six to seven installments, but the defender considered it excessive. Behind his refusal there’s more than just an economic issue: the player also fears a possible return of José Vignatti and José Alonso to power if the Tradición Sabalera ticket wins the elections on November 30. Espínola ended up in conflict with both directors, which led to favorable rulings for him at FIFA and CAS.

In addition, the footballer maintains that he did not receive any salary during the second half of 2023, and that the amount offered by Colón would not reflect the real debt, since part of that period should have been covered by FIFA due to the injury he suffered while representing the Paraguayan national team in the South American Qualifiers.

For now, the Centenario neighborhood club has until today to make the full payment, as ruled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). If it fails to unlock the situation, Colón will once again come under the scrutiny of international bodies and add a new front of conflict at a key institutional and sporting moment.

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