Unauthorized resumption of soccer in Ecuador on July 17

He Emergency Operations Committee (COE), which directs actions to tackle the coronavirus pandemic in Ecuador, disallowed this Tuesday the resumption of the soccer tournament scheduled for July 17 by the Pro League and the clubs.

“By means of the present I comply to remind you, Mr. President, that the beginning of any championship in the month of July is not authorized,” announces the letter sent by the COE to Miguel Ángel Loor.

The COE also asked the Pro League “planning for the execution of the championship” to decide its authorization.

The managers of professional clubs and the Pro League had approved on Monday the resumption of the tournament, which was suspended in March due to the expansion of the new coronavirus.

After receiving the notification, Loor said he was “respectful” of the authorities' pronouncement and was “aware that football is not in control.”

He declared himself confident that by July 17, the health safety protocols would be approved and that the rules set for the teams' training phase, approved since June 10, had been met.

In the training stage, strict sanitary control protocols have been applied, so July 17 is the convenient date for the return, Loor reiterated, although he insisted that “the final decision is the COE's.”

The Ecuadorian championship was suspended on March 14, after playing two matches corresponding to the fifth date, of the thirty that make up the programming of the current season in Ecuador.

The executives have reiterated that they will wait for the authorization of the COE to reactivate the competition, which will take place without the presence of fans in the stadiums while the pandemic persists.