Ex-director fears 'straw buyers' could retain control of Chilean football club

José Joaquín Laso, a former director and lawyer for the Chilean football club Universidad de Chile, voiced deep concerns about the potential for continued influence by Victoriano Cerda, a figure linked to the club's ownership issues. Laso fears that if the club's shares, which are reportedly embargoed and subject to a bank's legal action, go to auction, Cerda's associates might acquire them through "straw buyers."

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I have a fear. These people, using (José Ramón) Correa and others, have put in a lot of money. They put in $15 million for the OPA, which ultimately didn't happen. So, I'm afraid they will try to keep buying and be the ones to buy. It would be a shame if this cycle continued this way, that some straw buyers leave and others are put in.

"I have a fear. These people, using (José Ramón) Correa and others, have put in a lot of money," Laso stated, referencing a previous attempt to acquire shares. "They put in $15 million for the OPA, which ultimately didn't happen. So, I'm afraid they will try to keep buying and be the ones to buy. It would be a shame if this cycle continued this way, that some straw buyers leave and others are put in."

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Many people think I'm angry with Clark because he kicked me out of the U, but the truth is I haven't been angry, because he gave me a 'medal of honorability' (by kicking me out). I would not have allowed many of the things that have happened, and he had to bring in someone more convenient for his interests, which basically speaks well of me.

Laso, who was an early opponent of Michael Clark, the club's former president, clarified his own departure. He suggested he was removed not out of anger, but because he would not have condoned certain actions. "Many people think I'm angry with Clark because he kicked me out of the U, but the truth is I haven't been angry, because he gave me a 'medal of honorability' (by kicking me out)," Laso explained. "I would not have allowed many of the things that have happened, and he had to bring in someone more convenient for his interests, which basically speaks well of me."

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I was the lawyer for the U for 15 years, with three different presidents. I practically drafted the bylaws of Azul Azul, and for me, it's an important issue, and they have ruined it.

Reflecting on his long-standing connection to the club, Laso, who served as the U's lawyer for 15 years under three different presidents and helped draft Azul Azul's bylaws, expressed disappointment in its current state. "I was the lawyer for the U for 15 years, with three different presidents. I practically drafted the bylaws of Azul Azul, and for me, it's an important issue, and they have ruined it," he lamented. Despite his concerns, Laso concluded on a cautiously optimistic note, stating, "It's good that things are coming to light."

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It's good that things are coming to light.