🙄How much longer will we hear nothing about Alfredo Morelos? | OneFootball

The victory of Atlético Nacional by 2-0 over Once Caldas, which secured their place in the semifinals of the Copa BetPlay 2025, was overshadowed by an unusual protest from the team. After the final whistle, the 'verdolaga' players crossed the mixed zone of the Atanasio Girardot in a collective "vow of silence," refusing to give statements to the press.

The Origin of the Silence: Alfredo Morelos

The reason behind this unusual behavior is the harsh sanction imposed by Dimayor on forward Alfredo Morelos. The striker was suspended for two weeks and fined more than 85 million pesos after admitting in an interview that he "let himself fall" in a penalty play against Boyacá Chicó. His words, considered by the Arbitration Commission as an acknowledgment of simulation, led to the punishment.

Solidarity Under Threat of Fine

The refusal to speak is interpreted as a gesture of total solidarity with Morelos by his teammates. A player, the Uruguayan Camilo Cándido, reportedly made a remark to the press suggesting the nature of the protest: "We get fined if we talk."

This act of collective silence, which has no recent precedent in Nacional's history, mixes the individual sanction for the confession of a play with a group response. The challenge now is whether this silence will continue in upcoming commitments, including the Clásico Paisa, or if the team will decide to regain their voice to protest.

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

📸 JAIME SALDARRIAGA - AFP or licensors