San Lorenzo on the verge of bankruptcy: The court has given it five days to pay a multi-million dollar debt

The current situation of San Lorenzo is going through its most delicate moment in years. The courts notified the club this Tuesday that it has five business days to settle a debt of 4.7 million dollars with the Swiss fund AIS Investment Fund, under threat of bankruptcy. The situation erupts in a context of political and institutional chaos, just one day after president Marcelo Moretti had to leave the headquarters escorted by the police following a massive protest by members demanding his resignation.

The origin of the conflict dates back to July 2020, when San Lorenzo, then presided over by Marcelo Tinelli, received a loan from the Swiss fund as part of the transfer of Adolfo Gaich to CSKA Moscow. The agreement stipulated that the money would be repaid once the Russian club paid the transfer fee. However, CSKA paid San Lorenzo directly and not the fund that had advanced the money, so the Argentine institution never repaid the loan.

In 2023, the courts ordered the club to pay approximately 3.9 million dollars plus interest, an amount that, over time, increased to the current figure. Weeks ago, AIS Investment Fund had formally requested San Lorenzo's bankruptcy, and now the court ruling sets a deadline to avoid it.

The situation is now critical, since there is no room for appeal. The only alternative the club has is to raise the funds and pay. The institution's lawyers have been negotiating for over a year without success, and the efforts have been frustrated by the firm stance of the Swiss fund.

Meanwhile, the economic crisis adds to an explosive social climate. The pressure from fans, the exodus of directors, and institutional instability are putting El Ciclón in check, as it goes through one of the most critical chapters in its modern history.