【Lima, Peru】Julio César Uribe Blasts Peruvian Football Federation Over Harsh Sanction Against Sporting Cristal for Racist Acts: “It’s Abusive, Disproportionate, and Undeserved”

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Editor’s Note

This article discusses a recent sanction imposed on Peruvian club Sporting Cristal for racist incidents during domestic matches. It serves as a reminder that discriminatory behavior has no place in football and that sporting consequences must follow such acts.

René Esterilla durante su presentación
Sporting Cristal Sanctioned for Racist Acts

Sporting Cristal managed to celebrate a valuable 2-2 draw against Cerro Porteño in Asunción last Thursday, April 24, but not all was joy for the Rimac-based club as it received a harsh sanction for racist acts.
The Disciplinary Commission of the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) decided to apply a severe punishment to the ‘Celestes’ for recent discriminatory incidents that occurred in the latest Liga 1 matches, particularly in the clash with Cusco FC played at the Alberto Gallardo stadium on Sunday, April 13.
The Cusco-based team reported that its goalkeeping coach, Ecuadorian René Esterilla, was insulted by Rimac fans. Consequently, the FPF sanctioned them with two home matches without spectators in the Peruvian championship. There was also an economic sanction of 20 UIT, which is approximately S/. 107,000 soles.
This means La Florida’s team will play behind closed doors against Juan Pablo II and ADT of Tarma for the Torneo Apertura 2025. The punishment will be applied for the match against the squad from Chongoyape this Monday, April 28, at 13:00 hours at the Gallardo.

Julio César Uribe Blasts the FPF

The institutional advisor and spokesperson for Sporting Cristal held nothing back and blasted the Peruvian Football Federation for the drastic sanction over racist acts. ‘El Diamante’ considered the punishment unfair and made it clear that the club is against discrimination.

“We take the sanction with extreme discomfort; the timing of the communication was not appropriate as we were about to play a Copa Libertadores match, imagine the emotional impact. These are things we have to assume, but we believe it is an abusive, disproportionate, undeserved sanction. Cristal has been the club that, when there has been a sign of racism, has gone to the Prosecutor’s Office to file a complaint, demonstrating that it is up to the challenge of the difficulties that may be encountered. We consider this sanction very unjust,”

the former player stated at the Jorge Chávez International Airport.
Furthermore, Julio César Uribe indicated that the ‘Cerveceros’ will take the necessary measures to reverse the sanction because it directly affects them.

“We will appeal to higher instances so that this decision, with which we disagree, is modified. The messages must be of unity and not of unilateral decisions. Rules and regulations are for everyone, and no one can transgress them as we perceive is being done,”

he added.

What Did Julio César Uribe Say About the Draw with Cerro Porteño?

‘El Diamante’ referred to the auspicious debut of Paulo Autuori and valued the point earned by Sporting Cristal against Cerro Porteño for the 2025 Copa Libertadores. He expressed optimism about reversing the bad moment for the ‘Cerveceros’.

“Anything that adds points allows us to trust in the quality of the professional who has come to Cristal, and we have great confidence in his abilities. The best part was the attitude of trying to get better and better; the unity of the group to quickly understand the concepts has been important,”

commented Uribe.

Autuori al lado de Uribe
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⏰ Published on: April 25, 2025