“`html
LIMA, 2025-06-20 11:29:00
Peruvian Football’s Power Players
Agustín lozano, president of the Peruvian Football Federation, announced that clubs will allocate a percentage of TV rights to youth football. A look at the power dynamics within Peruvian football.
- The FPF is made up of 25 departmental leagues, each with a vote in presidential elections.
- Six league presidents have held their positions as 2002, for 23 years.
- Departmental leagues hold meaningful sway, with nearly 40% of the total votes.
Who really controls Peruvian football? A recent proclamation by Agustín Lozano, the head of the Peruvian Football federation (FPF), highlights the intricate power struggles within the sport, where the allocation of television revenue is a key battleground. The FPF’s structure and its voting system are critical to understanding the game’s politics.
The Vote Breakdown
The FPF is composed of 25 departmental leagues, each with a president who casts a vote in the federation’s presidential elections. The statutes of 2021 dictate that 67 votes determine the presidential elections.
- 20 Liga 1 clubs with a vote for Club.
- 10 League Clubs 2 with a vote for Club.
- 25 departmental leagues with a vote by Club
- 7 votes that represent the players
- 1 Vote of the Association of Referees
- 1 vote of the association of coaches
- 1 vote of women’s football
- 1 vote of Futsal
- 1 beach football vote
Manuel Burga was president of the FPF between 2002 and 2014. (Photo: Andina)
In the upcoming 2025 elections, the dynamics shift, with 19 Liga 1 clubs and 15 Liga 2 clubs participating.Additionally, clubs under bankruptcy administration are ineligible to vote.Consequently, the valid votes for the 2025 choice will be 61, distributed as follows:
- 14 Liga 1 Clubs (Lima, University, Cienciano, Melgar and Sport Boys alliance do not vote)
- 10 League Clubs 2 with a vote for Club.
- 25 departmental leagues with a vote by Club
- 7 votes that represent the players
- 1 Vote of the Association of Referees
- 1 vote of the association of coaches
- 1 vote of women’s football
- 1 vote of Futsal
- 1 beach football vote
This scenario shows the importance of departmental leagues. They represent 37.31% of the total votes.
The Longest-Serving Leaders
A striking aspect of Peruvian football politics is the longevity of some league presidents. Six of the 25 departmental presidents have held their positions since 2002, coinciding with Manuel Burga’s first election as FPF president. This means they have been in office for 23 years.
Luis Duarte Plata, the current second vice president under Agustín Lozano, has been the president of the Ancash Departmental League since 2002. He was also investigated in the Los Galacticas case.
Reynaldo Lima Barrera became president of the Departmental League of Huancavelica in 2002. In 2010, he joined Manuel Burga in his third re-election alongside Alfredo Britto, the president of the Departmental League of Freedom, who also took office in 2002.
Manuel Burga’s Legacy: Burga’s long tenure as FPF president (2002-2014) is a significant backdrop to the current power dynamics. The fact that several league presidents have held their positions since his initial election highlights the entrenched nature of these roles.
- The six presidents with 23 years in office
| Name | Liga | Start | Years in office |
|---|---|---|---|
| luis Alberto Duarte Plata | Áncash | 2002 | 23 years |
| Reynaldo Lima Barrera | Huancavelica | 2002 | 23 years |
| Julio Muñante Gómez | Ica | 2002 | 23 years |
| Alfredo britto Mayer | Freedom | 2002 | 23 years |
| Antonio pantigoso Herrera | Mother of God | 2002 | 23 years |
| José Antonio Ríos Barrera | Moquegua | 2002 | 23 years |
Four presidents have held their positions since 2006 (19 years). Clodoaldo Berrocal, president of the Ayacucho Departmental League, was initially against Manuel Burga’s mandate. Roberto Ramos Ruiz, president of the departmental of loreto, has been involved in football for more than 30 years. He was the treasurer during Burga’s tenure.
In 2007,three presidents remained in office for 18 years: José Díaz Arastagi,president of Cusco,Juan García López of San Martín,and Héctor Jara Lady of Junín.Both Díaz and Garcia were directors under Burga.
Alfredo Britto has been as president of the departmental League of Liberty for 23.
Implications of Long tenure: The extended tenures of these league presidents raise questions about potential stagnation, lack of fresh perspectives, and the consolidation of power within the FPF. It also suggests a possible resistance to change within the organization.
- Presidents with 20, 19 and 18 years in office
| Name | Liga | start | years in office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clodoaldo Berrocal Taipe | Ayacucho | 2006 | 19 years |
| Roberto Ramos Ruiz | 2006 | 19 years | |
| José Diaz Arastagi | Cusco | 2007 | 18 years |
| Juan garcía López | San Martín | 2007 | 18 years |
| Hector Jara Lady | Junín | 2007 | 18 years |
the Departmental Leagues: Power Brokers in the FPF
The 25 departmental leagues are not just administrative bodies; they are critical power centers within the FPF.Their presidents each wield a vote in the presidential elections, making them essential for any candidate seeking office. The voting structure, with the leagues holding nearly 40% of the total votes, underscores their importance.
The influence of the departmental leagues extends beyond just elections. They play integral roles in organizing local competitions, fostering youth development programs, and, crucially, distributing resources within their respective regions. This control over resources gives them significant leverage within their communities and within the broader football landscape.
historical Ties and Loyalty: The long tenures of many league presidents are often attributed to the tight-knit relationships they’ve cultivated within their regions. These bonds, coupled with their influence over resources, create a system where incumbents find it tough to be challenged, thereby perpetuating the existing power structure.
- Voting weight of departmental leagues:
- 25 departmental leagues with a vote by Club
- Nearly 40% of total votes
Adding another layer to this intricate matrix is the financial component. Departmental leagues manage and distribute funds, including those from TV rights and sponsorships, within their jurisdictions.The handling of finances provides further control, as they determine how resources are allocated for local football development. The distribution includes funding youth programs, paying referees, and covering the operational costs of local tournaments.
Table of Contents
