Uruguayan Police Union Denounces Alleged Irregularities in Football Match Security Services

The Uruguayan Republican Guard Police Union (UNI.POL.GR) has lodged a formal complaint with the Ministry of the Interior's Internal Affairs Directorate concerning potential irregularities in security services provided during football matches. The complaint focuses on matches hosted by Juventud de Las Piedras at the Parque Artigas stadium in Las Piedras.

According to the union's filing, the club contracts "Service 222" for referee security. However, the union alleges that the Canelones Police Department utilizes officers already on duty for these tasks. These officers are reportedly compelled to sign "Service 222" payment slips without receiving the corresponding compensation.

Ruben Amato, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of the Interior's Secretariat, has been informed of the situation. The union has also requested an urgent meeting with the Canelones Police Chief, Fabio Quevedo. UNI.POL.GR aims for Internal Affairs to launch an administrative investigation to determine the destination of funds paid for these services and to ascertain if any irregularities occurred.

Juventud de Las Piedras has informed the union that payments for "Service 222" are made according to agreements with the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF). The complaint also details alleged threats against the Tactical Response Group (GRT). The union claims GRT personnel are assigned referee escort duties and public order maintenance outside the stadium, even when regular service personnel are available. Officers are reportedly ordered to perform these duties without their consent for "Service 222" and without the legally stipulated remuneration, allegedly under threat of administrative consequences.

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The officers are forced to prepare and sign the corresponding Service 222 slip, under warnings or threats of suffering administrative consequences if they refuse.