Chilean FA Leadership in Crisis: Pablo Milad Rejects “Coup” Amid Growing Discontent

Pablo Milad’s presidency of the ANFP is under scrutiny as pressure mounts from clubs dissatisfied with his leadership. Chile’s early elimination from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers has only sharpened criticism, and some clubs are reportedly considering advancing the presidential elections—a move some have dubbed a “coup.”

Milad, who took over following the departure of Sebastián Moreno, dismissed the notion of a power grab. “We’d end up with a new president every month or year. We must preserve institutional stability,” he stated, insisting he intends to finish his term through 2026.

The phrase “coup” gained traction after a group of clubs met to explore alternatives, raising the possibility of a collective board resignation that would force a new election. Though Milad downplayed the rift, he admitted five clubs approached him to propose shared funding for youth football, among other concerns.

The current ANFP president faces two major challenges before the end of his term: resolving a legal dispute with TNT Sports over broadcast rights and achieving the institutional separation of the Chilean Football Federation from the ANFP—both considered pillars of his reform agenda.

As discontent grows, the stability of Chilean football leadership hangs in the balance, and calls for a new direction become harder to ignore.