César Villegas, president of Deportes Limache, announced that his club and San Luis de Quillota would cast blank or invalid votes in the National Professional Football Association (ANFP) election. He made the announcement a few days after withdrawing his candidacy for the organization's presidency.
In an interview with La Tercera's El Deportivo, the official explained that he left the race because of an atmosphere he described as unsettling. "They used tactics that, to me, are dirty and low. When they start targeting my family, I decide to step aside," he said. He had previously announced the decision on his podcast, El Presi del Pueblo.
According to Villegas, rumors circulated that he had two pending cases, one for drunk driving and another for domestic violence. He said both were false and that he did not want to expose his children. He also said that two council members who were going to join his slate felt intimidated and withdrew.
Villegas declined to identify those responsible. He spoke of "people who are indeed within the ANFP," but avoided naming names. He acknowledged that he was convicted of drunk driving at age 20, more than 24 years ago, and asserted that his criminal record certificate is clean.
In the interview, he confirmed that neither Jorge Yunge nor Jorge Uauy would have his support. According to La Tercera, both offered him a place on their slates, and he declined. He described the platform of Uauy, president of Palestino, as "very thin," although he left the door open to talks with him if he incorporates some of his proposals.
San Luis's position aligns with a club statement reported by Cooperativa. The club clarified that Iván Cisternas, a member of Yunge's slate, has not been a director since October 9, 2024, and holds only 0.16% of the shares in the sports corporation. "The club's board will not support the aforementioned slate," it said. Cooperativa interpreted this as San Luis backing Uauy, which does not fit with the blank votes announced by Villegas.
Villegas remains in charge of both clubs, although he said he is arranging to separate from one of them to comply with the law. The ANFP's 32 council members will elect the board that will replace Pablo Milad's on November 19.
