Aldo Quiñónez fined for "there is money from Cerro" rally cry

The Paraguayan Football Association's (APF) Ethics Tribunal has imposed a significant fine of Gs. 10,000,000 on player Aldo Quiñónez. This disciplinary action follows a controversial rallying cry made by Quiñónez prior to a match between his team, San Lorenzo, and Olimpia. During the pre-game address, captured on television, Quiñónez was heard exclaiming, "There is money from Cerro. There is money from Cerro. There is money from Cerro."

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Hay un incentivo de Cerro. Hay plata de Cerro. Hay plata de Cerro.

While the statement clearly suggested an external incentive, the APF's investigation, which included examining Quiñónez's phone and emails, concluded that there was no evidence of external interference or a confirmed consummation of such an incentive. Rodrigo Yódice, president of the Tribunal, stated that the player's devices showed no signs of outside influence. Despite this, the Tribunal found Quiñónez's conduct to be in violation of articles 13 and 22 of the APF's Code of Ethics, leading to the financial penalty.

From the perspective of ABC Color, this ruling highlights the APF's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport. While the investigation did not substantiate the claim of an actual financial incentive from Cerro, the act of suggesting such an incentive was deemed unsportsmanlike and potentially damaging to the league's reputation. The fine serves as a warning to players against making statements that could be misconstrued or that undermine fair play.

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Declarar probada y tipificada la conducta atribuida al señor Aldo Emmanuel Quiñónez Ayala dentro de los artículos 13 numeral 1° incisos c) y artículo 22 numeral 1) inciso b) del Código de Ética de la APF.

This case is particularly interesting from a Paraguayan sports perspective because it touches upon the intense rivalries within our football leagues. Allegations or suggestions of external influence, especially involving prominent clubs like Cerro Porteño (implied by "Cerro"), can stir significant debate among fans and media. The APF's careful investigation and measured response aim to address the player's conduct without making unsubstantiated accusations, thereby balancing disciplinary action with the need for factual evidence. It underscores the delicate line between passionate pre-game motivation and actions that could compromise the sport's ethical standards.

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Se accedió al celular y correos del futbolista, donde se constató que no hubo injerencia externa alguna.