Juan Sebastian Veron broke the silence after the Argentine Football Association imposed a penalty on Estudiantes de la Plata for the “back passing” that his players did against Rosario Central last Sunday, a fact that has increased the leadership tension that it is experiencing these days.
In statements to various media outlets, Veron reviewed the reasons for this impudence, questioned the actions of Claudio Tapia and treasurer Pablo Tovigino, and warned of possible dire consequences for his club.
Argentine News Agency
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According to Veron – in an interview with Radio Con Vos – the disciplinary measure and the attacks condemned by some leaders are a “message” against those who question the decisions of the Argentine Football Association: “We feel threatened and forced to do things that have never been done before.”
He added that his position was not a gesture against Rosario Central: he stressed that the “support” was an institutional questioning, not a personal complaint.
Veron also ruled out running for the presidency of the Asian Football Confederation now, and explained that his only interest is defending the rights of his club.
But he strongly warned that this dispute could have painful consequences: “It could end in decline,” imagining adverse situations such as unfavorable arbitration, pressure or persecution.
Finally, he announced that he would appeal the punishment imposed on him – a six-month suspension – and denounced what he saw as the persecution of AFC leaders.
In an interview with Radio Rivadavia, Veron confirmed that the punishment imposed on him and the players aims to “silence, discipline, and send a message to others.” Although he confirmed that this would not force him to leave: he will continue to lead the organization because “the club needs him” and “the people support him.”
The president of Estudiantes remained steadfast in his position of not regretting the incident that occurred in the “corridor” leading to Rosario Central, explaining that it was a spontaneous act that came in response to the duty to conduct reconnaissance.
Veron criticized that, in his opinion, they personalize football that should belong to the members. He said with conviction: “The spirit of football must be there. They cannot take away what the clubs have.”
The former footballer considered that the attempt to force Rosario Central to make the “corridor” is part of a broader context in which “it cannot make the same difference whether winning a championship or not winning it,” and stressed that if the efforts of players and clubs are “left aside and no longer have any value,” the competition is distorted.
He considered that the punishment constituted a message to Estudiantes and stressed that he saw unequal treatment compared to other clubs. Along these lines, he doubted that the decision to award the title to Rosario Central had been taken without a clear discussion or vote, something he described as “imposed.”
In another intervention, he said he was concerned about the potential for the resulting climate to impact Estudiantes in the competition. As he explained, his anxiety is linked to the fear of adverse refereeing or institutional decisions that, in his opinion, could harm the club: “The first thing we always ask is who is the referee whose turn it will be and who will be in the VAR, because everything is resolved there.”
Journalist Ernesto Tenembaum, an Estudiantes fan, asked him if Pincha would win. But Veron was cautious regarding today’s match against Central Cordoba in Santiago del Estero. Although he described Yael Falcon Peres as a “good referee,” he immediately blurted out: “Mystery… You know how they lower your mystique, in a second they lower it.”