Pablo Milad, president of the National Professional Football Association (ANFP), responded on Wednesday to criticism over the second postponement of the League Cup final between O'Higgins and Coquimbo Unido. He spoke during the 5th International Football Congress 2026 in Santiago.
According to ADN Radio, Milad said the ANFP reviewed every alternative for playing the match. The final was scheduled for October 16 at Claro Arena and was postponed because of the weather front and mudslide that hit the Metropolitan Region.
"Claro Arena was an exceptional venue because of its security measures," Milad said. He added that they also offered Santa Laura stadium and that the authorities rejected both options. He told TNT Sports that Unión Española had made security improvements at its ground and that, even so, the Metropolitan Presidential Delegation did not grant permission.
Milad also said the ANFP proposed a two-legged tie in Rancagua and Coquimbo, but the clubs did not accept it. He ruled out problems with presidential delegate Germán Codina and noted that police staffing is sometimes insufficient to cover all events in Santiago.
His strongest criticism concerned the comparison with concerts. According to BioBioChile, Milad questioned why matches cannot be played while concerts are authorized "with three or four times as many people". He told ADN Radio that firecrackers and crowd surges also occur at those events, and that there is now "greater willingness" to find a date.
The second issue was his succession. Jorge Yunge, ANFP secretary general and former Rangers president, went from ruling himself out to becoming a candidate. Milad said Yunge had informed him and described him as an experienced official. He also praised Jorge Uauy, the other contender: "They are two very good candidates."
The president denied that Yunge's candidacy was an attempt to maintain continuity and declared himself impartial. He said he would meet with both to discuss the next steps. He described the next board as transitional and said it could last a couple of months, because work on the League's corporation is "very advanced."
Regarding La Roja's next coach ahead of qualifying for the 2030 World Cup, Milad explained that sporting director Felipe Correa is speaking with coaches to present a shortlist of three to the board. He called for a coach who knows Chilean football and its players to avoid adaptation problems like those experienced in previous coaching tenures.
Despite that profile, Milad denied having contacted Gustavo Quinteros, who won titles in Chile with UC and Colo-Colo. For now, the ANFP has no new date for the final, and Milad said he hopes to coordinate it "as soon as possible" with the clubs and authorities.