Fernando Ortiz, Colo Colo's coach, criticized the National Professional Football Association (ANFP) this Friday over the league schedule. At a press conference at Estadio Monumental, the Argentine described the schedule as "poorly planned from the outset".
According to BioBioChile, the coach's frustration centers on the breaks. The First Division returns after almost a month without matches, including an extended FIFA international window, and will then pause again for a week.
"But if we voice our opinions, we are punished. It is clear that they would have to review millions of things and have a schedule in advance," Ortiz said. Cooperativa reported a longer version of the same response, in which the coach said the schedule gives people enough "to sit and comment on all day".
The coach also complained that the final rounds of the championship have yet to be scheduled. "To this day we don't know whether we're going to play, the day, the time... It's impossible, but it's what we have, we have to adapt," he said.
His message also addressed the ANFP election. Ortiz asked those joining the next administration to consider "better scheduling" so clubs can work with a schedule prepared in advance.
Colo Colo's schedule illustrates the problem. Colo Colo will visit Coquimbo Unido on Sunday, October 11 at 15:00 at Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso stadium. On Tuesday the 20th, they will play the remaining 45 minutes against Deportes Puerto Montt in the Chile Cup, and on the 25th they will host Palestino at a stadium yet to be confirmed.
To maintain match sharpness during the break, the coaching staff is looking to arrange a friendly. "It's difficult to find an opponent. If we don't find one, we'll play among ourselves," Ortiz explained, according to Cooperativa, because several players need playing time.
Regarding Sunday's opponent, the coach praised the reigning champion. He highlighted the Pirates' performances in the Copa Libertadores and the League Cup, and said he expected a "tenacious" team. He added that the returning international players are available and that he has yet to choose his starting goalkeeper from four options.
Asked whether he would stay for 2027, following remarks by Aníbal Mosa, president of Blanco y Negro, expressing confidence in the coaching staff's work, Ortiz avoided giving a definitive answer. He said he feels happy in Chile and will tell the executive that when they meet. His next test is on Sunday in Coquimbo.
