The Asociación Colombiana de Futbolistas Profesionales (Acolfutpro) has launched a sharp criticism against the Dimayor, accusing the governing body of treating professional players like “slaves” following a disciplinary ruling that declared forward Yhormar David Hurtado Torres ineligible to play for América de Cali for the remainder of the season.
Resolution 007 and the Ineligibility Ruling
The controversy stems from Resolution 007 of 2026, issued by the Dimayor Disciplinary Commission. According to reporting from La Veintitrés, the sanction blocks Yhormar Hurtado from taking the field for América de Cali through the end of the campaign. The disciplinary action was triggered after Internacional de Bogotá and Boyacá Chicó filed formal complaints regarding the player’s registration status. During the current season, Hurtado has featured for three different clubs: Deportes Tolima in Colombia, Always Ready in Bolivia, and subsequently América de Cali, prompting intense debate over international and domestic player habilitation rules.
Acolfutpro Alleges Violation of Fundamental Rights
In an official statement, Acolfutpro condemned the ruling as entirely arbitrary and claimed it violates fundamental labor rights, specifically targeting the player’s right to work. The union invoked Sentencia T-464 of 2022 handed down by the Colombian Constitutional Court, which mandates that both the Federación Colombiana de Fútbol (FCF) and the Dimayor must safeguard the fundamental rights of athletes when issuing administrative decisions. Acolfutpro stated that the ruling “again treats footballers as if they were slaves,” echoing deep frustration within the player association over how transfer restrictions and registration limits are enforced.
Regulatory Flaws and Institutional Inaction
Public commentary surrounding the case has highlighted broader administrative shortcomings within Colombian football governance. As noted by journalist Nany Flórez on her official X account and detailed by La Veintitrés, the Disciplinary Commission itself acknowledged that the FCF had failed to properly update its domestic regulations to harmonize them with updated FIFA frameworks. This regulatory lag complicates the legal standing of América de Cali, a club that has maintained throughout the process that earlier preliminary rulings on Hurtado’s eligibility favored the team.
Beyond the FCF and the Dimayor, Acolfutpro widened its criticism to encompass the Ministerio del Deporte, accusing the government agency of absolute inaction and indifference regarding its oversight, inspection, and control duties over sports organizations.
Next Steps and Legal Outlook
Acolfutpro has confirmed it will provide full legal and institutional support to Yhormar Hurtado as he pursues avenues at both national and international levels to overturn the ban. The dispute threatens to escalate further into international sports tribunals, turning a domestic registration dispute into a wider test of strength between Colombian football authorities and player labor advocates.
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