Deportivo Cuenca faces financial crisis and FIFA sanctions

Deportivo Cuenca is undergoing an administrative reorganization amid severe financial instability and regulatory challenges. The club has appointed Juan Mateo Cajas as its new executive director under an initial contract with GFI. This appointment is part of a broader effort to stabilize the institution, which includes a planned forensic audit to determine the exact status of the club’s debts and economic obligations.

The club’s financial difficulties have led to significant labor issues, with administrative staff reportedly unpaid for four months and professional players nearing three months of unpaid wages. While GFI representative Alejandro Méndez indicated intentions to cover at least one month of salaries, the actual payment remains uncertain due to ongoing disputes between GFI and the club’s board.

In addition to internal debt, the club faces external pressure from FIFA. The international governing body has issued two registration bans against Deportivo Cuenca, recorded in late September, which could restrict the club’s ability to register new players during upcoming transfer periods. To reach financial stability for its 2027 project, the club estimates it will require USD 2 million.