The tennis scandal adds a new chapter: Electoral Court of the Metropolitan Region confirms Kegevic's inability

The Chilean tennis scandal has taken another turn with the confirmation by the Metropolitan Region Electoral Court (TER) that Milovan Kegevic is ineligible to serve as president of the National Tennis Federation (Fetech). The court upheld the decision of the Election Commission, which nullified Kegevic's election following the June 6 vote. This ruling also validated the commission’s resolution regarding Valentina Marín, who was similarly affected by the decision. According to the court's statement, the candidates did not meet the requirements outlined in Article 40F of Law No. 19.712 and Article 27 of the federation’s statutes. The TER emphasized that the Election Commission had the authority to assess these disqualifications even after the election took place. It confirmed that the commission’s decisions were based on objective evidence, thereby dismissing any challenges to their legality. The court’s ruling addressed the situation of the elected board of directors, which faced complications due to resignations and declared disqualifications. The vice president-elect, Iván Navarro, along with directors Cristóbal O’Ryan, Francisco Puelma, and Eugenia Fernández, had already resigned before the latest developments. With three additional disqualifications, the board was left with only two members. According to the court’s decision, this number falls below the minimum required by Article 34 of the federation’s statutes, which mandates a majority of directors to function properly. As a result, the current board lacks the necessary quorum to operate effectively. In light of this scenario, the court concluded that declaring the election null and void would have no practical effect, rendering its intervention pointless. Therefore, the court decided to dismiss the case without addressing the original claim. This means that Kegevic’s election as president remains invalid, and the court instructed the Federation of Tennis to take necessary measures to ensure the organization’s functioning. These actions must align with the mechanisms specified in the federation’s own statutes. The Federation of Tennis is scheduled to hold an assembly on August 27 to address these issues. This meeting will likely focus on finding solutions to the governance crisis, including potential interim leadership arrangements or reforms to prevent similar situations in the future. The outcome of this assembly could significantly influence the direction of the federation moving forward. The controversy surrounding Kegevic’s eligibility has sparked discussions within the tennis community and among stakeholders about the integrity of the election process and the effectiveness of the governing bodies. While some have criticized the lack of transparency and the delays in resolving the issue, others argue that the court’s decision upholds the rule of law and reinforces the importance of adhering to established regulations. The Federation of Tennis faces mounting pressure to stabilize its operations amid ongoing uncertainty. The absence of a fully functional board poses challenges in managing day-to-day affairs and planning for the future. The upcoming assembly represents a critical opportunity for the federation to demonstrate its commitment to restoring order and ensuring compliance with its internal rules. As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on the Federation of Tennis and its ability to navigate through this period of instability. The coming weeks will determine whether the organization can implement effective solutions to address the current governance vacuum and restore confidence among its members and supporters.