Amaury Vergara breaks silence on Chivas-Mexico World Cup standoff - “It’s important to recognize what this represents”

Amaury Vergara welcomed the restoration of the original agreement. The Chivas owner broke his silence after the controversy surrounding national team call-ups, having previously threatened to keep his players at the club rather than allow them to join Mexico’s training camp ahead of the World Cup. His frustration stemmed from Toluca being granted permission to use their called-up players. In the end, order was restored.

Agreement restored after Chivas dispute

“The important thing is that the agreement was reinstated. I’m very happy that the national team players – the six from Chivas, remember there are six (including Luis Gabriel Rey, who is attending as a sparring partner) – are now in the training camp at the CAR. And even more importantly, this Saturday we have an important game to play, and the fans, the team, and the management are united,” he said.

His message was brief but firm. Vergara attended the Ambassadors Gala in downtown Zapopan. At the foot of the Basilica, he spoke briefly about the stance he took that shook Mexican soccer. Ultimately, Toluca was unable to use its national team players. The agreement that no club would do so was upheld. With that, Chivas released its players to report to Javier Aguirre.

He also delivered a message during the event. “The World Cup atmosphere is already here and there’s no way not to feel excited. It fills me with hope that our Guadalajara will host its third World Cup. It’s important to recognize what this represents – a city ready to make history. Most importantly, what we’ve built will remain for the city. From our home, we are ready,” he stated.

“We’re now in the final stages of construction, having invested to meet every specification required by FIFA. The stadium that was born for the World Cup is one of the best among all host venues, and all these investments will remain for Chivas fans. All Mexicans will proudly and joyfully remember the stories that will be written in the stands. Jorge Vergara, the visionary, would be very proud of what we are achieving as a team. Guadalajara has the best team as a World Cup host city,” he concluded.

Club legends back Amaury Vergara’s stance

The Chivas president was backed by a historic club figure. Ramón Ramírez defended the club’s position.

“I don’t even think this should be such a major issue, right? What’s been established has to be followed exactly as it is. Amaury simply did the right thing. They shouldn’t have even tried to request that possibility. It was very clear. And just as Chivas accepted playing the playoffs without many of its national team players, it was logical that other teams would also stick to the rules or what had been agreed,” he said at the same event.

Another former Chivas player, Oswaldo Sánchez, was also present in Zapopan and spoke about the team’s absences in the playoffs.

“Look, I think the rules were set from the beginning. That’s how it should be played. From the start, I understood, heard, and read that the priority was the national team. So I don’t see why we need to create controversy. We all want the national team to have a great World Cup, plain and simple. And if teams don’t have their players right now, the rules were clear for everyone,” he said.

“And second, I believe it’s more beneficial for a team to have a World Cup player than to have him play in the playoffs – it’s that simple. So hopefully things go well, for Chivas and for whatever team each person supports. The most important thing is that we can make history. And when Mexico faces South Korea here, we’ve got to bury them in the mud, because that game could be decisive. If they beat South Africa, which I think they will, Mexico will be playing for first place here. For me, the Mexico–South Korea game in Guadalajara is the most important one,” Sánchez concluded.

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