Confirmed: Germán Lerche remains convicted over his time in charge at Colón | OneFootball

The ratification of the ruling highlights the nature of the expenses that the court deemed unjustifiable for the institutional life of Colón. Among the most compelling pieces of evidence accepted by the Santa Fe Court of Appeals is the payment of rent for a property in the exclusive Puerto Madero neighborhood. For the judges, it was proven that this property served no operational purpose for the club and represented a personal benefit financed by the treasury of the Sabalero entity, which constitutes a clear detriment to the members’ assets.

The shadow of the 2011 Copa América

Another key point of the ratified conviction is the handling of public and private funds during the 2011 Copa América, an event in which the Brigadier López Stadium was a venue. The judicial investigation determined that there was irregular management of provincial subsidies and a transfer of boxes that mortgaged the club’s future income. This maneuver was described by the court as “reckless management” that prioritized interests unrelated to the financial well-being of the institution, deepening the crisis that would erupt shortly after Lerche’s departure.

A thirteen-year process that sets a precedent

The case against Germán Lerche is not just a judicial file; it is the longest and most emblematic sports corruption case in the province. Initiated in 2013 following a complaint by trustee José Luis Isaía, the process has survived attempts at dismissal and changes in charges. With this ratification, the Santa Fe judiciary sends an institutional message about the criminal responsibility of sports executives, establishing that the autonomy of clubs is not a blank check for the misappropriation of funds.

The judicial future of Lerche

Despite the ratification, the legal battle is not over. The former president’s defense is already preparing an extraordinary appeal before the Supreme Court of Justice of Santa Fe, once again betting on the strategy of “lack of criminal action” due to the excessive duration of the process. Meanwhile, Lerche must comply with the conduct rules imposed by his conditional sentence, which include a ban on leaving the country without prior authorization and the obligation to maintain a fixed address, under risk that the sentence will become effective.

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