Honduras Progreso’s Ascent League Protest Rejected: Arsenal SU vs. Independiente Final Set
The drama surrounding the Honduran Ascent League playoffs has reached a fever pitch, wiht Honduras Progreso’s desperate attempt to overturn their elimination falling flat. Their challenge, aimed at delaying the final between Arsenal SU of Cantarranas and Independiente, has been officially rejected.
Honduras Progreso’s complaint centered around the claim that the goal dimensions at Arsenal SU’s Francisco gaitán Stadium were incorrect. This followed a crushing 6-0 defeat at the hands of Ninrod Medina’s arsenal SU. The club even went so far as to allege potential match fixing.
Elías Názar, President of Honduras Progreso, submitted documentation citing a “rule failure.” However, the Appeals Commission dismissed the appeal, clearing the path for the final between Arsenal SU and Independiente. Honduras Progreso had specifically requested a replay of the game played in Cantarranas.
The commission’s lawyers argued that the match was played under equal conditions for both teams, with each half contested on the same field. They further emphasized that the francisco Gaitán Stadium has hosted over 60 matches without prior issue. The commission did, though, recommend that the National Arbitration Commission certify all Ascent League fields.
The regulatory entity’s opinion stated that they had “analyzed,valued,[and] discussed the evidence as a whole.”
They further elaborated, “When the right is in struggle with the right and the legal, it must be inclined to the fair and that causes less damage. The contributing teams developed their official meeting in the same conditions of equal and equity: the same field of play, dimensions of arches or goals, number of players, [and] part time on each side of the court, being that the custom is a source of law, and they have taken more than sixty (60) referred.” This echoes the sentiment frequently enough heard in American sports: you play the hand you’re dealt, and you don’t get to change the rules after the game is over.
The commission’s statement continued, “Having as a synonym for registration, authorization and accreditation, which corresponds to the administrative part, it cannot harm strange people, rather than correcting future inks, related that good faith is presumed and the bad must be tested; the bad faith of the container has not been proven before this file.”
The Appeals Commission’s final resolution was clear: “Declare the appeal appealed by Mr. José Elías Nazar Solimán, in the condition in which he acts, [as] without place; [and] ratify the ruling issued by the national Commission of Discipline of the Promotion League, dated May 07.”
While upholding the result, the Appeals Commission did issue a directive for future matches at the francisco Gaitán stadium. They urged the Board of Directors and delegates, along with the National Arbitration Commission, to certify the fields, citing a lack of formal certification in accordance with articles 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 120, 122, 129, 137, and other applicable disciplinary regulations.
With the protest dismissed, the Clausura 2025 final of the Honduras Ascent League between Arsenal SU and Independiente is officially set. The dates and times for the two-legged Grand Final are pending confirmation. The winner will face CD Choloma, the Apertura champion, for a chance at promotion. This situation mirrors the promotion/relegation system used in many international soccer leagues, a concept gaining traction in discussions about the future of american soccer.
Further Inquiry: Could autonomous verification of field dimensions become standard practice in leagues like the USL Championship to prevent similar disputes? What are the long-term implications of these types of protests on the integrity of lower-division soccer leagues?
Key Takeaways: Honduras Ascent League Protest & Final Implications
To better understand the ramifications of this ruling, let’s break down the key aspects in a clear, concise table:
| Aspect | Details | Implications |
|—|—|—|
| The Protest | Honduras Progreso contested the goal dimensions at Francisco Gaitán stadium during their match against Arsenal SU. | Led to a formal appeal alleging “rule failure” and requesting a replay. |
| the Appeal’s Fate | The Appeals Commission rejected the protest, upholding the original result. | Cleared the path for the final between Arsenal SU and Independiente; reiterated that rules cannot be changed after a match concludes. |
| Key Argument | The commission emphasized equal playing conditions, with the same field and goals used by both teams. The Francisco Gaitan Stadium has hosted over 60 games without incident. | Undermined the argument of an unfair advantage and the claim of match fixing, as the stadium conditions were deemed equitable. |
| Commission Directive | recommended the National Arbitration Commission certify all Ascent League fields for future matches. | Points toward ensuring fair play and minimizing the probability of dimension-based disputes. |
| The Final | Arsenal SU vs. Independiente will compete in the Clausura 2025 final. | The winner will face Apertura champion CD Choloma for promotion. |
| Wider Context | The situation is reminiscent of promotion/relegation systems, a trend in soccer structure. | Offers a direct parallel to discussions about the USL Championship, and potential for similar disputes. |
FAQ: Honduras Ascent League Protest and Final
Here’s a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section to provide clarity and address potential reader queries:
Q: Why did Honduras Progreso protest the match?
A: Honduras Progreso protested the match after a 6-0 loss, claiming the goal dimensions at Arsenal SU’s stadium were incorrect.
Q: What was the outcome of the protest?
A: The Appeals Commission dismissed the protest, upholding the original match result.
Q: Who will be playing in the Ascent League final?
A: The final will be between Arsenal SU and Independiente.
Q: What happens after the final?
A: The winner of the final will face CD choloma, the Apertura champion, for a chance at promotion to a higher division.
Q: What did the Appeals Commission recommend regarding stadium regulations?
A: The commission recommended that the National Arbitration Commission certify all Ascent League fields to ensure consistent standards and fair play.
Q: What articles were cited in the Appeals Comission’s proposal?
A: Articles 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 120, 122, 129, 137, and other applicable disciplinary regulations.
Q: What does this situation say about the integrity of the league?
A: While the protest raised questions, the commission’s ruling and directive to certify fields demonstrate a commitment to maintaining integrity through thorough inspection, equal opportunities, and robust enforcement of regulations.
Q: What is “Clausura” and “Apertura?”
A: “Clausura” and “Apertura” refer to the two halves of the Honduran soccer season, mirroring the format used in many Latin American leagues. The winners of each half than compete for promotion/championship.
