Santiago Wanderers President Blasts Authorities After Losing Home Match Against Real Madrid

Reinaldo Sánchez, the president and controlling owner of Santiago Wanderers, has voiced strong displeasure following the confirmation that the highly anticipated Copa Intercontinental U20 match against Real Madrid will not be played in Valparaíso. The game is now scheduled for September 19 at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid.

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Time has proven us right in the worst way possible; the historic match between Santiago Wanderers and Real Madrid will not be played in Valparaíso, largely due to the lack of support for the football industry and the constant denial by the Presidential Delegations of allowing clubs to organize quality mass sporting events, particularly in our region.

The Chilean club had hoped to host the Spanish giants at the Estadio Elías Figueroa in Valparaíso. However, the official decision to move the venue has drawn sharp criticism from Sánchez, who directly blamed Chilean authorities for the outcome. "Time has proven us right in the worst way possible; the historic match between Santiago Wanderers and Real Madrid will not be played in Valparaíso," Sánchez stated in an official release.

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We are tired of hitting a bureaucratic wall (...) The authority's solution is always the same and the easiest: Prohibit and close doors instead of doing their job and providing security.

Sánchez elaborated on his criticisms, citing a consistent lack of support for the football industry and a "constant denial" by Presidential Delegations to permit clubs to organize quality mass sporting events. He expressed the club's exhaustion with administrative obstacles, stating, "We are tired of hitting a bureaucratic wall." According to Sánchez, authorities consistently opt for the easiest solution: "Prohibit and close doors instead of doing their job and providing security."

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We made sure to give the Wanderers fans a party, but there is no other option but to turn the page.

Despite the disappointment, Sánchez acknowledged the club's efforts to create a memorable event for their fans. "We made sure to give the Wanderers fans a party, but there is no other option but to turn the page," he added, lamenting the lost opportunity to host such a historic match. He did, however, extend thanks to the Minister of Sport, Natalia Duco, stating that they were aware she "did everything possible to keep the event in Valparaíso."

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We are aware that she did everything possible to keep the event in Valparaíso.