Inter of Bogotá demanded the match against America: asks for the points for undue alignment

Inter de Bogotá has formally lodged a complaint against América de Cali over the alleged improper alignment of player Yhormar Hurtado Torres during their Copa Sudamericana match. The claim centers on the player’s participation with three clubs within a single season, which violates the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. The dispute arose after América de Cali defeated Inter de Bogotá 2-0 in their Copa Sudamericana encounter. Goals from Jhon Tilman Palacios and Yeison Guzmán secured the victory for the Vallecaucano side. Yhormar Hurtado, who played as a starter for América, was substituted in the 86th minute to make way for Mateo Castillo. His inclusion in the starting XI was decided by coach David González. According to reports from César Augusto Londoño, the complaint alleges that Hurtado has already represented two other clubs this season, Always Ready and Tolima, before joining América de Cali. This, according to the complaint, exceeds the limit set by the FIFA regulations, which state that players can be registered with a maximum of three clubs during a season but must play for only two in official matches. The FIFA regulation cited in the complaint states that players may be eligible to participate in official matches for a third club only under specific conditions. These include cases where the clubs belong to associations with overlapping seasons, such as one beginning in summer/fall while the other starts in winter/spring. In such instances, a player may be allowed to represent a third club, provided they have fulfilled all contractual obligations with their previous teams and adhered to registration periods. Yhormar Hurtado, 29 years old, plays as a right back. He began his career with Alianza Petrolera in 2015 before moving through Deportivo Pasto and Águilas Doradas. In 2023, he joined Deportes Tolima as a prospect. After leaving Tolima in March, he signed with Always Ready in Bolivia, where he made just three appearances in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores. This summer, he returned to Colombia and joined América de Cali upon invitation from coach David González. He quickly established himself in the team's defense, earning a spot in the starting lineup against Inter de Bogotá. Despite his recent success, Hurtado has yet to win any official titles in his career. According to Transfermarkt, his market value stands at 375,000 euros. The case highlights ongoing concerns about player eligibility and compliance with international football rules. While América de Cali maintains that Hurtado met all necessary criteria for his registration and participation, Inter de Bogotá argues that the situation contravenes the spirit of the regulations. The outcome of this dispute could have implications for future transfers and how clubs manage player registrations in multi-season environments. The matter is currently under review by the relevant authorities.