Salvadoran Football Continues to Shock: FAS Faces Player Registration Ban Amid Legal Dispute
Salvadoran football remains a source of constant surprises, though many of them are far from positive. The Clausura 2025 tournament finally kicked off last night after a week-long delay, attributed to holiday disruptions adn registration challenges. Despite the federation’s approval,the season began under a cloud of uncertainty.
This edition of the tournament features 11 teams, a reduction from previous years due to financial struggles and the relegation of Jocoro to the Second Division in mid-2024. With no relegation system in place, the league will see 10 teams competing in state or privately-owned stadiums, a setup that has sparked logistical concerns for some clubs.
Today’s schedule includes four matches, highlighted by the opening clash between reigning champions Once Deportivo and Fuerte San Francisco, a team that has undergone notable reinforcement under coach Rubén Alonso. Fuerte San Francisco has brought in players from the Second and Third Divisions, aiming to make a strong impression this season.
Once Deportivo,fresh from meeting their new Board of Directors,has had limited readiness time after their December 21 final. The team is still grappling with unresolved issues, including unpaid prize money and the appointment of a new leadership team. Their only notable addition is winger Andrés Rivas, on loan from Alianza, alongside new coach Fabio Llarramendi.
Despite minimal departures, the champions have lost key figures such as coach Dowson Prado, central defender Jorge Cruz, and captain Josué “Torito” Rivera. Goalkeeper Gerson López, injured in the final, was also not retained. They now face a revamped fuerte San Francisco, a team with aspirations of breaking into the top eight but not widely seen as a title contender.
FAS in Turmoil
Meanwhile, last season’s runner-up, FAS, finds itself embroiled in yet another controversy. The club has been sued by Colombian player harrison mojica over unpaid wages from the previous governance.As an inevitable result, FIFA has imposed a three-tournament ban on new signings, leaving FAS unable to register recent acquisitions Jorge Cruz, Kevin santamaría, and Edgar Medrano. These players will miss today’s match against Dragon, a team eager to redeem itself after a disappointing previous season. FAS is now working to resolve the lawsuit, having reportedly settled the debt, and hopes FIFA will lift the sanctions soon.
In another intriguing matchup, Cacahuatique, one of last season’s surprise packages, takes on Águila, a title favorite that fell short in the quarterfinals last term despite a strong regular season. Águila has bolstered its squad and aims to make amends for last year’s disappointment. Elsewhere, Firpo, a standout team in the Apertura, begins its 2025 campaign against Platense. Under coach Gabriel Álvarez,Firpo hopes to transition from being a promising side to a genuine title contender,though financial constraints have limited their reinforcements.
SEE ALSO: Andrés Rivas Joins Once Deportivo on Loan
RETURN TO COVER
Salvadoran Football Continues to Shock: FAS Faces Player Registration Ban Amid Legal Dispute
Salvadoran football has once again found itself in the headlines,but this time for reasons that highlight the ongoing challenges within the sport in the country. The Clausura 2025 tournament, which finally kicked off last night after a week-long delay, is already mired in controversy. The delay was attributed to a combination of holiday disruptions and registration challenges, but the issues run deeper than mere logistical hiccups.
At the center of the storm is FAS, one of El Salvador’s most storied football clubs. The team is currently facing a player registration ban due to an unresolved legal dispute.This ban has cast a shadow over the start of the season, raising questions about the federation’s ability to manage the league effectively and ensure fair play.
the federation had initially approved the start of the tournament, but the unresolved issues surrounding FAS have left fans and stakeholders uneasy. The legal dispute, the specifics of which remain unclear, has prevented the club from registering its players, effectively leaving them in limbo as the season begins. This situation not only undermines the competitive integrity of the league but also raises concerns about the long-term stability of salvadoran football.
The delay in the tournament’s start and the ongoing issues with FAS highlight a recurring theme in Salvadoran football: a lack of organizational efficiency and transparency. While the sport continues to enjoy passionate support from fans, the administrative challenges threaten to erode confidence in the league’s governance.
As the Clausura 2025 season progresses, all eyes will be on how the federation and FAS navigate this crisis. Will the legal dispute be resolved swiftly, allowing FAS to compete on equal footing? Or will this saga further tarnish the reputation of Salvadoran football?
For now, the season has begun under a cloud of uncertainty, and the road ahead appears fraught with challenges. The hope is that the passion and resilience of Salvadoran football fans will prevail, but without significant reforms, the sport may continue to face setbacks that overshadow its potential.
while Salvadoran football remains a source of pride and excitement for many, the current situation serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger governance and accountability. The FAS player registration ban is not just a club issue—it is indeed a symptom of broader systemic problems that must be addressed to ensure the sport’s future success.
