The president of Independiente Rivadavia, who is close to Chiqui Tapia, spoke about Canalla's title and acknowledged that Argentine soccer lacks a capital injection
Amid weeks full of controversies in the AFA world, Independiente Rivadavia de Mendoza president Daniel Vilafully entered the debate over the invented title of Rosario Central as leader of the annual table. Although he considered the recognition valid, he questioned the awarding of a trophy and pointed to the politicization of the issue in Argentine football.
"Did Rosario Central need recognition? Yes, why not? It was the team that earned the most points throughout the entire championship. Did Rosario Central need a trophy? No, because trophies are won on the field," Vila stated in remarks to LA 750, drawing a distinction between highlighting performance and turning it into a formal title.
Vila criticó la manera en la que se le dio la copa a Central
Amid the tension between the Professional League, AFA, and the few clubs that openly rejected the decision, the Mendoza executive asserted that the conflict ended up shifting toward a field unrelated to sports. "I think things that have nothing to do with each other have been mixed together. Giving recognition/a trophy to Rosario Central has nothing to do with privatizing football or bringing in private investment. When we mix and bring into play interests that go beyond sports and are more about politics, the situation becomes complicated and messy," he argued.
Vila called for lowering the tone of the confrontation and seeking a consensual solution: "I don't like what's happening. Both sides should call for reflection, sit at a table, and talk. There's nothing that can't be solved."
Meanwhile, he expressed support for the entry of external capital, a debate that resurfaced after the Professional League's decision: "I'm in favor of private investment in football. I don't know what it will be called: SAD, trusts, management, or whatever they want. Argentine football needs an injection of capital. I think we're the only country where that model is prohibited."
Pese a su cercanía con Tapia, Vila apoya abiertamente la inversión privada
For the president of the Lepra mendocina, the problem doesn't lie in the management format, but in the politicization of every move: "When we mix politics with sports and institutions, it creates a snowball that keeps getting bigger."
It should be remembered that Vila is one of the most loyal associates of the mobster"Chiqui" Tapia. For example, he publicly supported him and his administration, personally thanked him for a debt refinancing that affected his club's finances, and backed the poor 30-team format, among other episodes.
