CONMEBOL imposed a financial penalty of 50,000 dollars on Segundo Castillo, coach of Barcelona from Ecuador, for wearing suits with striking designs during his team's matches in the Copa Libertadores.
According to the governing body of South American football, the coach engaged in covert advertising by taking advantage of the attention caused by his outfits in each match of the continental tournament.
The episode that led to the penalty occurred in the match between River and Barcelona, where Castillo wore on the lapel of his jacket a round emblem linked to a campaign by Ecuador's national lottery company.
El traje que usó Segundo Castillo frente a River
In this situation, CONMEBOL interpreted it as an "Ambush Marketing" strategy, a practice prohibited by article 6.3.3 of the Copa Libertadores Club Manual, as stated in an official resolution published on its website.
The competition manual clearly states that "any attempt by an unauthorized entity, brand or person to generate an improper association between their products, services or commercial image and any tournament organized by CONMEBOL" is not permitted.
Meanwhile, the South American body also fined the club 10,000 dollars for a violation of article 4.3.1.2, which addresses the condition of the playing field. This penalty was also imposed in the match against Millonario, due to the poor condition of the field after the club's centenary celebrations.
Barcelona también tendrá que pagar una multa por el estado de la cancha
Both fines will be deducted directly from the income that Barcelona was to receive from sponsorships and television rights, after being eliminated in the group stage of the current edition of the tournament.
