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Cerro Porteño's new signings stalled by FIFA ban
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Sports

Cerro Porteño's new signings stalled by FIFA ban

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Cerro Porteño cannot officially register three new players due to a FIFA ban over unpaid debts.
  • The club is negotiating with creditors to resolve the issue and strengthen its squad for upcoming competitions like the Copa Libertadores.
  • Three players, Alexis Cañete, Agustín Almendra, and Lucas Merolla, are signed, with a fourth, Teodoro Arce, nearing agreement.

Cerro Porteño faces a significant hurdle in bolstering its squad for the demanding second half of the season, including the Copa Libertadores. The club is currently under a FIFA "cepo," a disciplinary sanction that prohibits registering new players until outstanding debts are settled.

Despite this restriction, the club's leadership, headed by Blas Atilio Reguera, is actively working to resolve these financial issues. Their goal is to lift the ban and allow the team to officially welcome three signed players: central defender Alexis Cañete from Nacional, and Argentinians Agustín Almendra (central midfielder) and Lucas Merolla (central defender).

A fourth player, attacking midfielder Teodoro Arce, who has prior experience with Olimpia and recently played in Russia, is also reportedly close to joining. These potential additions are crucial for manager Ariel Holan as Cerro Porteño prepares for the Clausura 2026 tournament, the Copa Paraguay, and their Copa Libertadores campaign. The club also faces player departures, with several expected to leave the squad.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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