LIGA MX
Why have Vega, Calderón been told they’ll never play for Chivas again?
Club president Amaury Vergara has told Alexis Vega and Cristian Calderón that their careers at Chivas Guadalajara are over.
Alexis Vega and Cristian ‘Chicote’ Calderón have been told they won’t play for Chivas Guadalajara again, after they were banished from Veljko Paunovic’s first-team squad for off-the-field indiscipline.
Together with B-team player Raúl Martínez, Vega and Calderón broke squad rules by reportedly sneaking women into the team hotel after Chivas’ 1-1 Liga MX draw away to Toluca last weekend.
Vega and Calderón out, Martínez could be spared
As this is not the first time that there have been disciplinary issues with Vega and Calderón, Chivas’ president, Amaury Vergara, has opted against leniency. He has instructed the club’s lawyers to find the best financial formula for offloading the pair.
Given that this is Martínez’s first offence, Chivas are analysing his case separately and may give the reserve player a second chance. A decision will be made on his future in the coming days.
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Grim times in Guadalajara
The scandal has exacerbated the atmosphere of crisis at Chivas, who are currently on a run of just one win in seven Apertura 2023 games, leaving Los Rojiblancos down in eighth in the regular-season standings.
To make matters worse, Chivas have been left looking for a replacement for head coach Paunovic, as the Serbian is expected to leave Estadio Akron for Spanish club Almería.
Chivas balk at cost of ripping up Vega contract
Terminating Calderón’s contract appears to be a straightforward process, as the defender’s deal expires in December and will not involve a costly compensation agreement.
However, as Vega is not scheduled to become a free agent until next June, Chivas are reluctant to pay up the rest of the Mexican international’s contract.
Chivas are therefore expected to wait until the Liga MX transfer window opens in December, at which point they will look to find a buyer for the 25-year-old.
Vega could, though, opt to run down his contract and join another club for free when it expires - albeit this would severely jeopardise his involvement in the Mexico squad, potentially costing the midfielder his place at next summer’s Copa América if El Tri qualify.
