Argentina's courts have put an end to the comings and goings over the Boca Juniors election and have decided that there will be a vote on Sunday.
The election will pit two teams against each other in a confrontation between fan idol, retired legendary playmaker and current club Vice-President Juan Román Riquelme, and the former president of Argentina and Boca Juniors, Mauricio Macri.
The vote was finally authorised on Monday evening when a court revoked a trial court decision by Judge Alejandra Abrevaya, who had suspended the election following a report submitted by the opposition citing "irregularities" and questioning members of the electoral roll.
“With much satisfaction, Boca Juniors communicates to members and supporters in general that this Sunday, December 17 … there will be a vote to elect the authorities to rule the club up to 2027,” confirmed Boca in a club statement.
Riquelme, worshipped by Xeneize supporters for his skills as one of Boca's legendary number 10s and the current man in charge, is this time seeking the club presidency.
Macri is a vice-presidential candidate this time out, though he is the leader of the opposition ticket. A powerful businessman and politician, he has been at odds with Riquelme since the two clashed during the former Argentina president's successful time in charge of the club between 1995 and 2007.
Adding extra spice to the internal squabble is that Riquelme represents the defence of the club as a not-for-profit civil association, where supporters are the owners. Macri would prefer Argentina's clubs – and Boca – to be privatised.
A total of 94,188 members are eligible to vote in tents that will be installed on the pitch of the legendary La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires on Sunday.
Macri's team, headed by his former government minister Andrés Ibarra, would also like to build a new stadium.
The recent battle in the courts has seen three judges hear the case amid crossed accusations. Suspension of the elections had been encouraged by the opposition and by Macri, who has returned to the political scene following Javier Milei's election as president.
Riquelme lifted the Copa Libertadores three times, in 2000, 2001 and 2007. He returned to the club as an official in 2019. Macri says his time in charge has been defined by an “arrogant and arbitrary leadership."
The former player accuses his rival of “wanting to use the club for politics” and has called on club members to choose if Boca "remains a club" or gets its "heart ripped out."
Boca have had a mixed spell under Riquelme's leadership. Despite winning six domestic titles in the last four years, they have been unable to perform strongly in continental competition. The club’s main objective, which every year is the Copa Libertadores, is unattainable as the Xeneize failed to qualify for the tournament’s 2024 edition due to poor form in the domestic championship.
-- TIMES/AFP
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