New judicial setback for the AFA: it lost a million-dollar case and must compensate another arbitrator for “discrimination”

A new guardianship of justice has ordered the AFA to compensate an arbitrator, re-appoint him to lead the corresponding category and pay a fine plus costs, which it will require an outlay of almost 4 million pesos. The parent company of the ball has been shown to have committed “discrimination” and “unfair practice”. There are already two trials that he has lost and there are thirteen more that are on trial in the labor tribunal and would end up the same way. It happens at a time when arbitrage is most questioned in Argentina.

Federico Cuello, 42, had been separated from Federico Beligoy, national director of arbitration, product of the prisoner who exists with the Union of Arbitrators of the Argentine Republic (SADRA). After a long judicial journey, Rosario’s assistant will be able to resume the continuity of his work interrupted exactly four years ago, on April 13, 2019, when he was in the Almagro-Temperley shortlist. He was only nominated again in 2021 and one game a month for six months. In 2022, despite being a union delegate, he receives a telegram of dismissal. They had to reinstate him after a new amparo and from Viamonte they spoke of an “administrative error”.

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Now, The AFA must pay Cuello 900,000 pesos plus interest in compensation and will have to pay a fine of 800,000 plus costs, according to Court Resolution No. 52. Furthermore, it was forced to pay the fees of the professionals involved in the process (lawyers, accountants and experts) for 895,980, 746,650 and 373,325 pesos respectively.

According to the arguments of Dr. Mariano Moreno Espeja, “In accordance with the aforementioned jurisprudence, by virtue of the witness evidence noted, added to the accounting report, I find duly accredited by the defendant – without a doubt – sufficient indications that the AFA has provided discriminatory treatment” against Neck.

“I tried to talk to the AFA only once with the Director of the School (N. de R: Beligoy), but he didn’t answer me. And I didn’t try again because other kids hadn’t been able to communicate with him either, it seemed to me vain to continue wasting energy, the message they wanted to give was very clear, it was very sad to see referees who had signed their first contract and been fired or to see other colleagues who in recent years, after a great career, ended their careers at home and not on a playing field. And colleagues who had the opportunity to reach the First Division or be international who were left on the street. Not to mention my case, that as a manager in Nacional B and First Division I continued to not be able to do it anymore,” she said. he said Neck to clarion.

“My request and that of the 16 remaining referees in the union is legitimate. We are facing a violation by the AFA,” stressed the assistant who currently works driving a truck at a food distribution company.

“After a report by Ernesto Cherquis Bialo, which denounced corruption and arbitral manipulation, the union appeared before the Justice for an investigation that did not go along with the AFA. The arbitrators who came from within were invited to leave SADRA. Since that time there was significant bleeding, several references began to leave. Then rumors arose that those who had not resigned would no longer drive. And many left, “he said Cuello.

Last month, Maximiliano Salado Paz also won the fight against AFA. The judge from Tucumán, like his colleague from Rosario, had not wanted to leave the union. However, the AFA appealed and since then he has only been called up for one federal match, Sportivo Belgrano-DEPRO in a function that is not his. Usually an assistant, they made him fourth mate.

The confrontation between Guillermo Marconi, general secretary of SADRA, and Beligoy has been going on for years. In SADRA they indicate that the referees head is on both sides of the counter. In addition to being the director of referee training, he is in charge of the Argentine Referee Association (AAA).