Chile’s national football team, La Roja, faced another heartbreaking defeat in the qualifiers. Ricardo Gareca’s squad suffered a 2-0 loss to Bolivia, officially dashing their hopes of making it to the upcoming World Cup. This marked the third consecutive time that the Chilean team will miss out on the global tournament, with their last appearance dating back to Brazil 2014.
Amidst the turmoil engulfing Chilean football, Sergio Jadue, the former head of Chilean football who now resides in the United States under witness protection after confessing to bribery charges in the FIFA corruption scandal, has resurfaced with scathing criticisms aimed at Pablo Milad, the president of the National Association of Professional Football (ANFP).
Jadue, previously silent for years, has reemerged in the public eye through various platforms, including social media and podcasts. In a recent lengthy statement, he expressed his disappointment, saying, “These are very sad days for all of us who love our national team. We are out of the World Cup for the third consecutive time, marking 16 years since our last participation. Being eliminated by Bolivia, a team we had previously defeated at home, is unacceptable. Chilean fans even traveled to support Argentina last week. This cannot happen again.”
He went on to address the need for immediate changes within the Chilean football landscape, emphasizing the role of Pablo Milad in the team’s recent failures. Jadue pointed out, “Two out of the three failed qualifying campaigns happened under Pablo Milad’s leadership. We’ve had failures with Lasarte, Berizzo, and Gareca. Are we seriously going to let him pick the fourth coach? The discussion should not revolve around the next coach but rather on ensuring Milad is not the one making that decision.”
Highlighting the challenges within the ANFP, Jadue stressed, “No reputable coach will commit to leading the team towards 2030 if there are upcoming elections in late 2026 within the ANFP. History has shown us that coaches depart when a new board comes in. We need hope, change, and positive news. It’s clear that Milad does not embody any of these. ANFP elections must be called immediately, not a minute should be wasted. Gareca alone is not enough.”
Jadue called for Milad’s resignation, urging him to step down and return to his roots after potentially receiving hefty salaries. He emphasized the urgency of a new leadership team searching for a competent coach. Criticizing Milad’s statements about the legacy he aims to leave at ANFP, Jadue concluded, “There’s no point in continuing to deceive. It’s time for real change.”
The clash between Jadue and Milad underscores the deep-rooted issues plaguing Chilean football and raises pertinent questions about the leadership and decision-making processes within the national football association. As Chile grapples with yet another disappointing chapter in its football history, the call for immediate reforms and a fresh approach to coaching selection becomes increasingly crucial to revive the nation’s footballing fortunes.
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