AFA Set to Rule on Vélez Lawsuit Against Boca Juniors and Álvaro Montero Over Foreign Player Rule

The Protest and the Rule in Question

The core of the dispute centers on the number of foreign players listed on the official team sheet for the match played on September 2. According to filings submitted by Vélez, Boca Juniors included six foreign players on the roster, whereas tournament regulations allegedly cap the number of enabled foreign players on a match sheet at five. Vélez argues that the infraction is documented and clear, asserting that the rule leaves no room for interpretation.

The match sheet controversy involves several high-profile names across both squads. For Boca, the roster featured Colombian goalkeeper Álvaro Montero, Uruguayan defender Leandro Lozano, and Colombian forward Sebastián Villa in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Chilean player Carlos Palacios, Paraguayan forward Ángel Romero, and Ecuadorian player Enner Valencia were named among the substitutes. While Boca utilized five foreign players during the match itself, Vélez’s legal challenge targets the inclusion of six players on the submitted team sheet rather than solely the substitutions made on the pitch.

Regulatory Framework and Competing Arguments

Vélez builds its case around historical tournament bulletins, specifically pointing to regulations that permit clubs to register up to six foreign players in top-flight competition, but restrict match-day roster inclusion to five. Legal representatives for Vélez maintain that the rule is strict and demands strict sporting sanctions, including the suspension of Boca’s advancement.

Conversely, Boca Juniors counters that no sporting advantage was gained during the fixture. Club representatives note that Ángel Romero did not enter the match as a substitute, meaning only five foreign players actually stepped onto the field. Furthermore, Boca’s defense points toward recent modifications in professional league guidelines concerning foreign player documentation, leaving the Disciplinary Tribunal to evaluate whether listing a sixth player on the bench without deploying him constitutes a punishable breach.

Next Steps at the AFA Disciplinary Tribunal

The AFA Disciplinary Tribunal is reviewing the arguments from both clubs through its established dual-instance process. Reports from outlets like Infobae indicate that the governing body is prepared to handle the case with an official verdict expected in the coming days, though initial indications point toward a rejection of Vélez’s bid to eliminate Boca outright from the tournament brackets.

Both clubs await the final ruling from the AFA, which will determine whether the penalty shootout result stands or if regulatory sanctions will alter the Copa Argentina quarterfinal lineup.