Thursday, November 7, dawned with news that shook Peruvian soccer. And the president of FPF, Agustin Lozanoearly this morning for being the alleged leader of the criminal organisation, ’Los Galacticos’. He wasn’t the only one, however, since then Joel Raffopresident of Crystal Sportshe was also involved and was caught by agents of the National Police. In that sense, Felipe Canterbury the club president demanded to leave ‘rimense’ and he stated that nothing like this had ever happened in the institution.
“This news is very sad, in 68 years of the institution’s life, this has not happened at Sporting Cristal, in terms of the values of our founders. It disturbs us a lot,” were his first words in an interview with RPP Noticias.
“I hope, for the sake of Joel Raffo and his family, that everything becomes clear. But unfortunately this arrest seriously affects his reputation as a leader. He certainly cannot return as president of the club, Sporting Cristal needs a radical change, but I repeat it, I ask God to clarify this issue for the sake of Joel and his family. But unfortunately the institutional damage has been done,” he said.
Since he became president of Crystal Sports in September 2019, Joel Raffo He has been questioned by fans as he is part of Innova Sports, the group that manages the club. ‘bajopontino’ and AGREF, footballers’ representative agency.
Between a conflict of interest, controversies related to the planning of the first team and a lack of titles for four years in a row, among other issues, the leader has been the target of criticism to the point that they asked for his departure.
Agustin Lozano He was detained by the National Police by order of the Judge because of the charge of being the head of the criminal gang, ‘Los Galacticos’. In that line, Felipe Canterbury He understood that it was an event that was bound to happen sooner or later.
“I was surprised by this decision, but at the same time it was something that was seen coming. Those of us who have been denouncing these irregular acts in the Peruvian Federation of Peru for some time now. We hoped that, at some point, both the Public Ministry and the Judiciary would intervene to correct these acts of corruption. that is happening in the FPF since Mr. Agustín Lozano came in,” he said.
Likewise, he made it clear that this has an impact on the image of Peruvian football, but that it shows the crimes committed by the president still on the FPF. “The Prosecutor found that FPF resources of 8.3 million coins were misused he explained gifts and deliveries without support from Mr. Agustín Lozano to various clubs, both in the First and Second Division, with debt donations without any support,” he said.
Agustín Lozano, president of the Peruvian Federation of Peru, at the time he was arrested by the National Police. - credits: AP/José Tejadathe former leader of the Irish League Crystal Sports He said there was a huge irregularity in the election of the company 1190 Sports as the person in charge of the transmission rights of the Liga 1.
“Lozano negotiated the contract, as there was no offer for TV rights to broadcast League 1 matchesand that illegal acts were committed, including the payment of commission. As a result, the charge against Agustín Lozano as a criminal organization also includes the issue of private corruption, fraud in the administration of a legal entity and money laundering,” he said.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Felipe Canterbury, President of Sporting Cristal
Editor: Good morning, Felipe. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent upheaval in Peruvian soccer regarding the arrest of Agustin Lozano, the president of the FPF, and Joel Raffo, your club president. Can you start by sharing your initial reaction to these events?
Felipe Canterbury: Good morning, and thank you for having me. Honestly, it’s a very sad day for us in the Peruvian football community. The arrest of Agustin Lozano and Joel Raffo brings to light a lot of issues that have been simmering beneath the surface. In the 68 years of Sporting Cristal’s history, we’ve never faced anything like this. It deeply disturbs all of us who care about the integrity of the sport.
Editor: It must be shocking, especially considering the values upon which Sporting Cristal was founded. Can you explain how these events affect the reputation of your club?
Felipe Canterbury: Absolutely. I believe that organizations are defined by their leaders and their actions. With Joel Raffo’s involvement in a case as serious as being part of the alleged criminal organization ’Los Galacticos’, it unfortunately tarnishes the image of Sporting Cristal. His reputation as a leader is now severely compromised, and I don’t see a path back for him as president. The damage to our institution has been done.
Editor: Your concerns extend beyond just your club, right? You mentioned a potential impact on Peruvian football as a whole. Can you elaborate on that?
Felipe Canterbury: Yes, indeed. This situation reflects a larger problem within our football federation. For a while now, we’ve identified irregularities and corruption in the FPF since Mr. Lozano took over. The fact that such serious allegations are surfacing clearly shows an urgent need for reform. Peruvian football deserves better governance, and we must strive for transparency to restore our image both nationally and internationally.
Editor: You mentioned that this was something that was “seen coming.” What do you think the role of clubs and fans should be in addressing corruption within football organizations?
Felipe Canterbury: That’s a crucial question. Clubs, fans, and stakeholders need to unite and demand accountability. For too long, there’s been a culture of silence or acceptance regarding misconduct. It’s time for us to advocate for clean governance. We need regular evaluations and discussions surrounding leadership and decision-making processes in our football institutions.
Editor: Given the current situation, what steps do you believe Sporting Cristal should take to navigate the fallout from these arrests?
Felipe Canterbury: First and foremost, we need to establish a leadership transition that emphasizes integrity and aligns with the values of our founders. It’s critical for us to reassure our fans and sponsors that we are committed to transparency. We must conduct a thorough investigation and cooperate with authorities as needed. Most importantly, we need to embark on an open dialogue with our supporters about our future direction.
Editor: And what message would you like to convey to the Sporting Cristal fans and the broader football community during this tumultuous time?
Felipe Canterbury: To our fans, I want to say that we acknowledge your feelings of disappointment and anger. We, too, are affected by this situation. I assure you that our primary commitment is to uphold the values of Sporting Cristal and work diligently towards restoring our integrity. Together, we can push for change within our beloved sport. Thank you.
Editor: Thank you, Felipe, for your insights. It’s clear that these events will have far-reaching implications on Peruvian soccer, and your commitment to change is commendable. We’ll continue to follow this story closely.