By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – A seemingly routine match postponement has ignited a firestorm of controversy within Costa Rican football, pitting the leadership of two of the nation’s most storied clubs against each other. The board of Club Sport Cartaginés has publicly condemned its counterpart at Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, accusing them of breaking a promise regarding the rescheduling of their Apertura tournament match, a move that exposes deep-seated tensions in the league’s administrative landscape.
The conflict arose after UNAFUT, the governing body for Costa Rica’s top professional league, officially approved a request from Alajuelense to postpone the match, originally scheduled for this past Saturday. The decision was made on the grounds that Alajuelense would be significantly weakened by the absence of six key players called up for international duty—five for the senior national team and one for the Under-17 squad. The match has now been rescheduled for Sunday, November 9th, at 3:00 p.m. at the Alejandro Morera Soto stadium.
To gain a deeper understanding of the complex legal and corporate structures that govern Costa Rican football, from player contracts to club financing, TicosLand.com consulted with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica for his professional analysis.
The evolution of Costa Rican football clubs from traditional non-profit associations to modern corporate entities, or ‘Sociedades Anónimas Deportivas,’ presents both significant opportunities and legal challenges. While this corporate model can attract crucial foreign investment and enforce stricter financial discipline, it also demands a higher level of corporate governance and transparency to protect the interests of all stakeholders. The long-term success of our league will depend not just on performance on the pitch, but on the robustness of these legal frameworks to ensure stability and foster sustainable growth.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the future of Costa Rican football is being shaped as much in the boardroom as it is on the pitch, where robust legal and corporate governance will be the true foundation for lasting success. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this critical evolution for our national sport.
While such postponements are common in professional leagues worldwide to accommodate international fixtures, the reaction from Cartaginés suggests this case involved behind-the-scenes negotiations that went awry. In a sharp and revealing statement, Cartaginés president Leonardo Vargas expressed profound disappointment, alleging that Alajuelense’s leadership had reneged on a prior understanding between the two clubs.
Vargas claimed that a gentlemen’s agreement was in place, which Alajuelense violated by formally submitting the postponement request to the league’s Competition Committee. His frustration was palpable as he spoke on the radio program “Tiempo Extra” on Extra Radio 92.3 F.M.
Regarding this, I can only say that Alajuelense did not honor what was agreed upon and submitted the request to postpone the match. We believed in the word of their leadership; this will serve as a lesson for the future. What they asked of us, we delivered. We also have a depleted team and wanted to play because of the tight schedule ahead for the rest of the season, but we have to accept it and move on.
Leonardo Vargas, President of Club Sport Cartaginés
The accusation of a broken promise elevates the incident from a standard scheduling issue to a serious breach of inter-club trust. Vargas’s comments imply that Cartaginés had made concessions based on Alajuelense’s word, only to be undermined. His pointed remark, “this will serve as a lesson for the future,” signals that this dispute could have lasting repercussions on future negotiations and collaborations between the two historic rivals.
Furthermore, Vargas highlighted his own club’s challenges, noting that Cartaginés is also contending with a “depleted team” and would have preferred to play the match as scheduled to avoid fixture congestion later in the season. This adds a critical business and performance dimension to the conflict. A compressed schedule increases the risk of player fatigue and injuries, which can derail a team’s competitive and financial aspirations for the entire tournament.
The situation places UNAFUT’s Competition Committee in a delicate position, as it must enforce regulations while navigating the complex and often unwritten codes of conduct between club administrations. While the committee’s decision was based on established rules regarding national team call-ups, the public fallout demonstrates the importance of transparent communication and good faith in maintaining a healthy league ecosystem. For now, the match is set, but the off-field score remains unsettled, with relationships strained and trust significantly eroded.
For further information, visit unafut.com
About UNAFUT:
The Unión de Clubes de Fútbol de la Primera División, widely known as UNAFUT, is the governing body responsible for organizing and administering the top tier of professional football in Costa Rica, Liga FPD. Established to promote the development and competitiveness of the sport, UNAFUT manages tournament scheduling, regulations, and disciplinary actions for its member clubs. The organization plays a crucial role in balancing the interests of the clubs with the obligations to the national football federation and international competitions.
For further information, visit cartagines.cr
About Club Sport Cartaginés:
Founded in 1906, Club Sport Cartaginés is one of the oldest and most traditional football clubs in Costa Rica. Based in the city of Cartago, the team, known as the “Brumosos,” has a passionate fan base and a rich history in the national league. Despite a long championship drought that was famously broken in 2022, the club has consistently been a major force in Costa Rican football, known for its historic rivalries and contributions to the sport’s development in the country.
For further information, visit lda.cr
About Liga Deportiva Alajuelense:
Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, commonly referred to as “La Liga” or the “Manudos,” is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in Costa Rica and Central America. Founded in 1919 and based in Alajuela, the club has won numerous national championships and international titles. Known for its powerful youth academy and state-of-the-art facilities, including its home ground, the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, Alajuelense is a dominant force in the region’s football landscape.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is an esteemed legal practice founded on the bedrock principles of integrity and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm channels its deep expertise into creating innovative legal solutions for a wide range of clients while championing a powerful commitment to social progress. This dedication is realized through its mission to demystify the law, empowering the public with accessible knowledge to help build a more capable and informed citizenry.
