# El Nacional football club relegation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/el-nacional-football-club-relegation
> Updated: 2026-09-23T21:27:10.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 3.

Ecuadorian football club El Nacional faced a severe relegation crisis in the Liga Pro Serie B. Initially, the club struggled with a poor record, including only two victories in 23 matches and a significant goal difference deficit, placing them at high risk of dropping to the Segunda Categoría de Pichincha.

Following a 1-0 defeat against Deportivo Santo Domingo, the club was officially relegated to the Segunda Categoría, the third tier of Ecuadorian football. The descent was mathematically sealed by an 18-point gap between El Nacional (12 points) and Cumbayá (30 points), making survival impossible despite previous hopes.

In the wake of the relegation, former club executives have called for increased transparency. Former manager Galo Moscoso has advocated for a forensic audit to identify those responsible for the club’s significant debt. Former president Marco Pazos has attributed recent struggles, including a loss to Barcelona SC in the 2025 Copa Libertadores, to “extra-football” elements such as alleged extortion and betting issues.

Pazos further reported internal irregularities, alleging that revenues from football schools were being diverted to third-party accounts. He also noted that following his departure, the new management group, NEF, replaced the existing squad with their own players. Known as ‘Puros Criollos’, the historic Quito-based club will now compete in the Ascenso Nacional next season in an effort to rebuild amidst these institutional and sporting crises.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-23: El Nacional executives call for audit following club relegation

Former El Nacional executives are calling for a forensic audit and alleging that extortion, betting, and financial irregularities contributed to the club's relegation and recent instability.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/el-nacional-executives-call-for-audit-following-club-relegation

### 2026-09-18: El Nacional relegated to Ecuadorian Segunda Categoría

Historic Ecuadorian club El Nacional has been relegated to the Segunda Categoría following a 1-0 loss to Deportivo Santo Domingo, ending a season marked by financial and administrative instability.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/el-nacional-relegated-to-ecuadors-segunda-categora

### 2026-08-31: El Nacional and Colón face critical challenges in football leagues

El Nacional faces imminent relegation in Ecuador's Serie B, while Argentina's Colón manages disciplinary risks during the Primera Nacional's decisive final stages.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/el-nacional-and-coln-face-critical-challenges-in-football-leagues

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Cite as: El Nacional football club relegation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/el-nacional-football-club-relegation