The Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) announced on Wednesday afternoon the postponement of the Ecuador 2021 Super Cup in the face of a potential coronavirus outbreak in the Emelec squad, one of the participants of the contest that has not yet officially confirmed the number of positive cases .
“To protect the health and well-being of all the components of national football, the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) reports that the Super Cup 2021 is being postponed,” said the entity in charge of the tournament without offering more specific details.
The FEF, in accordance with the regulations of the Competitions Operational Manual, establishes that when there are more than five positive cases of COVID-19 per team, the match must be rescheduled. That would be the case of Emelec despite the absence of an official statement from the group.
This Thursday the director of Competitions of the FEF, William Poveda, stressed the bases of the regulations of the operative manual of competitions in relation to the postponement of the Super Cup, but did not confirm whether Emelec and Technical University present positive cases.
Interviewed by the radio program Sports world, Poveda noted: “What I can communicate is that according to the FEF and national COE security operating manual, if you have five infected you can suspend a match”.
In this context, Poveda indicated that the FEF is working for the Super Cup to be played in the middle of this year, during the stoppage of the LigaPro championship due to the participation of the national team in the next Copa América 2020. And he did not rule out that the organization resolves to increase the number of participants for the postponed Super Cup.
Initially the competitors were Barcelona SC, Liga de Quito, Independiente del Valle and Emelec. Days later, Barcelona SC declined its participation and in its place the FEF invited Club 9 de Octubre, champion of LigaPro Serie B last year.
“It is not ruled out that the number of clubs can be increased, because all the clubs are affiliated to the FEF”.
He also revealed details about the other tournament run by the Federation, the Ecuador Cup, which was not played in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Regarding the Ecuador Cup, the board must ratify the format. It is expected to start in May.”he pointed. (D)