9 de Octubre are not letting the promotion race go quietly. The La Troncal club has sent LigaPro a formal request for information about Sociedad Deportiva Aucas and Vinotinto FC, including the people and business groups that run or control both clubs, Ecuagol reported on Friday. Journalist Maryan Villavicencio first reported the request. According to Ecuagol, the club is now waiting for LigaPro to respond.
Why it matters
Since late August, Aucas have been administered by Grupo Zaimella, a personal hygiene products company founded by Italo-Venezuelan Giovanni di Mella. Zaimella also runs Vinotinto, Primicias reported when Aucas announced the deal. That was manageable while Vinotinto were in Serie B, but Vinotinto have now been promoted, so both clubs would play in Serie A in 2027.
The margin was tiny. According to El Futbolero, Vinotinto finished the hexagonal on 54 points after a stoppage-time 1-0 win over Atlético FC. 9 de Octubre ended on 52 despite beating Cuenca Juniors 8-1 on the final day.
What LigaPro has said
LigaPro president Miguel Ángel Loor has said there is no formal obstacle to Vinotinto’s promotion right now: “Hoy no hay ningún inconveniente.” He has also written that if both clubs end up in the same division, the issue must be resolved before 2027 through an affiliate arrangement or a real separation of the clubs, and that the FEF would have to validate it, per Primicias.
Legal experts quoted by Primicias disagree. One points to FIFA rules against one group controlling two clubs in the same competition, while former deputy sports minister Geovanny Cárdenas argues that Aucas only delegated its administration and that Ecuadorian clubs are non-profit civil organizations, not companies that can be owned. The FEF club licensing rules also include a section on ownership and control of clubs.
No ruling has been made, and 9 de Octubre have not publicly said what outcome they want. Earlier reports from Ecuagol suggested they believe the promotion spot should be theirs. That claim has not been confirmed by the club.
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