Strike in Colombian football: key aspects of the conflict that could paralyze the league

Professional footballers in Colombia, united under the Association of Colombian Professional Footballers (Acolfutpro), have overwhelmingly voted to strike following failed negotiations with the top-tier league (Dimayor) and the Colombian Football Federation (FCF).

Although some minor issues saw progress, the parties could not reach a consensus on structural demands, as reported by El Espectador.

Carlos González Puche, president of Acolfutpro, stated:

"This is an extreme measure to protect basic rights, such as decent conditions and protection against abuse."

Additionally, the union complains about the lack of dialogue on the player's statute and disciplinary code, which is crucial to preventing arbitrary sanctions.

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The strike is set to begin on March 26 if no agreement is reached by then. Meanwhile, men's and women's tournaments will continue as usual, though tensions are rising.

González Puche insists the strike is protected under Article 444 of the Colombian Labor Code, which guarantees the right to protest.

While this measure will not affect upcoming league matches, teams like "Millonarios" and "Nacional" have already expressed concerns about possible delays that could impact participation in international tournaments. The FCF, in turn, urges the resumption of negotiations to avoid "irreparable damage" to local football.