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Barcelona SC faces possible Copa Ecuador elimination over player eligibility dispute
Barcelona Sporting Club beat Liga de Portoviejo 1‑0 on 5 August 2026 to reach the quarter‑finals of the 2026 Copa Ecuador. The victory is now under review because forward Erick Mendoza, who had played for Delfín SC in the round of 16, also appeared for Barcelona SC in the round of 8. Copa Ecuador regulations state that a player may not represent two clubs in the same stage of the competition, and a breach could lead to a 3‑0 forfeit loss for Barcelona SC.
Liga de Portoviejo has a 48‑hour window to lodge a formal complaint with the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF). The FEF disciplinary commission is expected to issue a decision on 11 August 2026, which could see Barcelona SC eliminated from the tournament. The club has filed a counter‑claim concerning the registration of Dalo Bucaram Jr., adding another procedural issue for the federation to resolve.
Amid the controversy, Miguel Montalvo, who assumed the presidency after Antonio Álvarez’s resignation, is scheduled to hold a press conference to outline the club’s next steps. Former player Felipe Caicedo has publicly called the situation a “mistreatment” of the institution and demanded new elections.
Entities
Antonio Álvarez · Antonio Álvarez Henriques · Barcelona Sporting Club · Café de Colombia · Erick Mendoza · Felipe Caicedo · Liga de Ciclismo de Boyacá · Liga de Portoviejo · Miguel Montalvo · Rafael Acevedo Porras · Vuelta a Boyacá · Wilson Reina
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Ecuadorian Football Federation is expected to issue a decision on the case on Tuesday, 11 August 2026. bolavip.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The win advanced Barcelona SC to the quarter‑finals of the 2026 Copa Ecuador.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Erick Mendoza played for Delfín SC in the round of 16 of the 2026 Copa Ecuador. eluniverso.com · www.benditofutbol.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] If the violation is confirmed, Barcelona SC could be eliminated from Copa Ecuador and the 1‑0 win overturned to a 3‑0 forfeit in favor of Liga de Portoviejo. eluniverso.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Liga de Portoviejo has 48 hours to file a formal complaint with the Ecuadorian Football Federation about Barcelona SC's alleged violation. eluniverso.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Barcelona SC defeated Liga de Portoviejo 1‑0 with a penalty scored by Jhonny Quiñónez on 5 August 2026.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Erick Mendoza also appeared for Barcelona SC in the round of 8 (octavos) of the 2026 Copa Ecuador. eluniverso.com · www.benditofutbol.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Copa Ecuador regulations prohibit a player from representing two clubs in the same stage of the competition. eluniverso.com · www.benditofutbol.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The FEF will issue a decision on the case on 11 August 2026. bolavip.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Miguel Montalvo assumed the presidency of Barcelona SC after Antonio Álvarez resigned. studiofutbol.com.ec · www.expreso.ec
- [● 3 SOURCES] Barcelona SC defeated Liga de Portoviejo 1‑0 on 5 August 2026 to advance to the quarter‑finals of the 2026 Copa Ecuador. studiofutbol.com.ec · www.benditofutbol.com · diariolosandes.com.ec