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First round of Venezuela's Torneo Clausura at Estadio Olímpico to be played behind closed doors

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • The first matches of the Torneo Clausura at Venezuela's Estadio Olímpico will be played without spectators due to structural damage from recent earthquakes.
  • The stadium sustained damage to walls and the roof, failing structural integrity reviews.
  • Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira has suspended operations following the earthquakes, which caused significant loss of life and devastation.

The opening matches of the Torneo Clausura at the Estadio Olímpico of the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV) will be held behind closed doors, confirmed Liga Futve president Ernesto Müller on July 27. The league's Clausura tournament is scheduled to kick off on Friday, July 31. Müller announced during the program 'Acreditados' on Hot Sports 94.1 FM that games involving Caracas FC and Metropolitanos FC will not be open to the public. This decision comes after the stadium suffered structural damage following the earthquakes on June 24.

The teams understand that we have a tight schedule, that we have international matches and we cannot stop.

— Ernesto Müllerexplaining the decision to continue with the football league schedule despite challenges

Images circulating on social media show the Estadio Olímpico with security tape inside and visible damage to some walls and parts of the roof, indicating that the venue did not pass structural integrity reviews conducted after the seismic events. Mid-July, CONMEBOL had already moved the Copa Sudamericana matches that Caracas FC and UCV FC were scheduled to play at the stadium. The earthquakes, which caused widespread devastation, have had a profound impact on sports infrastructure in Venezuela.

We find ourselves obliged to notify the temporary suspension of our activities and current contractual relationships due to force majeure.

— Club Sport Marítimo de La Guairaannouncing the suspension of club operations following the earthquakes

Müller also discussed the resumption of national football and the current situation of the clubs. He explained that presidents of Liga Futve clubs and the Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) met to discuss the tight schedule, which includes international matches, and the necessity of continuing play. Meanwhile, the earthquakes have led to tragic consequences for some clubs. On July 15, Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira announced the suspension of its operations and contractual relationships due to force majeure. The club, which was fourth in the Eastern Group of Liga Futve 2, cited the devastating impact of the seismic events. Several players and their families suffered immense losses; notably, Argentine forward Lucas Trejo lost his wife and two children, while youth players Víctor Palacios (U-15) and Ricardo Veloz (U-17) also perished in the disaster.

He was given a six-month leave because his structure was devastated.

— Ernesto Müllerreferring to the situation of Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira after the earthquakes
DistantNews Editorial

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

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