In the Professional Soccer League they say that Marcelo Tinelli resists. And they even dare to forecast that, after this crisis, it could come out well: “If we go to a vote, Marcelo wins again”. However, the numbers do not give. With the signing of leaders representing 15 clubs, they request his removal as head of the body that manages First Division football in Argentina. In the last hours, in the middle of the Christmas preparations, between sweet bread and nougat, A group of leaders circulated a letter to run Tinelli from the presidency of the Professional Soccer League. And, on the afternoon of December 24, the driver went out to the crossroads with a forceful letter sent to the leaders of the 28 clubs of the highest category.
The thread Argentine soccer he does not rest even in the holidays.
This Thursday the leaders tried to take weight off the voices that announced the intention of a “coup” against the one of the League and San Lorenzo (today with license in Boedo): “They are two or three crazy cats, they have no weight”. But this Friday it was the driver himself who was concerned and wrote a letter headed and addressed “To the member clubs of the 1st Division Of the LPF”.
“In recent days we have witnessed -with surprise and disbelief- a movement started by some clubs, some of them maliciously induced from false and incorrect information, claiming to represent all of the institutions that make up the Professional League of Soccer “, starts the text signed by Tinelli.
Tinelli and Tapia: smiles in public; cold relationship in private. Photo: Clarín
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“This small group never expressed their differences to me personally, nor did they raise them institutionally, in a debate with their peers at the Executive Committee meetings of our League, which is the place where the different questions that concern our activity should be raised. “, follows the text.
The businessman speaks plain and simple in one fell swoop: “Because of my training and my values, I consider institutional destabilization a devious blow, not only to the authorities that were legitimately elected in a timely manner, but also to the life of the organization that is trying to violate. I do not share the methods or values of the people who carry out this adventure, and I firmly believe in democracy at all levels of our institutional life and in the legitimacy that those who represent us should have “
Basically, Tinelli receives a reproach similar to the one heard in the corridors of San Lorenzo: “It is everywhere and it is nowhere”. That is what the managers who want him outside the League argue. A few days ago, at the awarding of the Champions Trophy that crowned River after the defeat of Colón de Santa Fe, the absence of MT moved the waters again: “The president of the Professional League has to be delivering the award”, they criticized him again.
At first, from Tinelli’s environment, he believed that who was behind this move was the president of the AFA, Claudio Chiqui Wall. From the corridors of Viamonte they assured Clarion that Tapia has nothing to do with this move, although on the other side they do not think the same and even believe that the priest himself of the mother house of Argentine football picked up the phone to shake the waters. The concrete thing is that the relationship between the two was always rather cold and from both sides they look at each other with distrust.
The leaders who would be behind this political move would be the president of Argentinos Juniors, Cristian Malaspina; Gabriel Pellegrini, from Gimnasia La Plata; and Luis María Chebel, brand new president of Lanús. “If they say that the League does not work they are part of the Executive Committee”, they return near Tinelli. In addition to his presence on a day-to-day basis, these leaders also blame him for not having obtained more money for audiovisual rights. Darts fly from one side to the other. These three clubs sent a letter in the last hours requesting the removal of Tinelli. And they are not alone. Accompanying the motion is Independent, Aldosivi, Estudiantes de La Plata, Godoy Cruz, Rosario Central, Huracán, Defense and Justice. Arsenal, Colón, Platense, Sarmiento and Central Córdoba.
The letter sent by the leaders asking for Tinelli’s head.
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In his letter, MT says he would only consider “The call for elections for President and Board of Directors, in case the highest body of our institution deems it necessary.” The truth is that to make changes the signatures of more than half of the clubs are needed. Since there are now 28, 15 signatories would be required. The numbers, if no regretful appears, something possible in the world of 38-38, they give to those who want to strike.
Beyond this last text, from the side of the League they are confident that if they are going to vote to go for the dismissal, it would be mostly in support of Tinelli’s management. The president of the League requested a meeting for next January 11, making it clear that he will not run from his chair and that this war it will have more chapters. Weeks of thread and thread are coming, even if it is time for sweet bread and nougat.
Tinelli’s complete letter
From my highest consideration, I have the immense pleasure of addressing you and -through you- the members of v / Institution, in order to send you some reflections at this very special time of year for everyone.
In recent days we have witnessed -with surprise and disbelief- a movement started by some clubs, some of them maliciously induced from false and incorrect information, claiming to represent all of the institutions that make up the Professional Football League . This small group never told me their differences personally, nor did they raise them institutionally, in a debate with their peers at the Executive Committee meetings of our League, which is the place where the different questions that concern our activity should be raised.
Because of my training and my values, I consider institutional destabilization a devious blow, not only to the authorities that were legitimately elected in a timely manner, but also to the life of the organization that it is trying to violate. I do not share the methods or values of the people who carry out this adventure, and I firmly believe in democracy at all levels of our institutional life and in the legitimacy that those who represent us should have.
By virtue of this, and the conversations that I have had with all the Clubs, in my capacity as President of the LPF and the powers granted by the General Regulations (art. 17.1. And cc), I call them to a meeting of the Committee Executive of the Professional Soccer League to be held on January 11, 2022, immediately after the fixture draw for next year’s tournaments (which is scheduled for 01/11/2022 at 3:00 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel ), where we will deal especially with any matter related to the current authorities of the League as well as the call for elections of President and Board of Directors, in case the highest body of our institution deems it necessary.
Again, I regret to address you at this time of year for these circumstances, I would have liked this note to be to share how much was achieved working as a team in such a difficult year as it was in 2021.
I wish you all a very happy holiday season with your families and loved ones, and have a great start to 2022.
A big hug, Marcelo H. Tinelli President
