Unusual Scheduling for Costa Rican National Championship Matches
A key match in the Torneo de Clausura is set to take place concurrently with a national team game.
On March 25, 2024, a significant football match in the Costa Rican national league will occur on the same day that the national team faces Belize in a crucial CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifier.
The match between Liberia and Guanacasteca is scheduled to commence at 9 p.m., shortly after the national team's game, which is set for 7 p.m. This scheduling decision has raised eyebrows due to the overlapping timings involving both national and local interests.
Organizers have articulated their reasoning behind the unusual match timing.
The duel was coordinated with UNAFUT (the National Football League Association of Costa Rica), FUTV (the national football television network), and the Asociación Deportiva Guanacasteca.
According to Jesús Mejía, the general manager of Municipal Liberia, the late start aims to prevent direct competition with the national team’s game, allowing fans to attend both events.
Initially, Liberia's management proposed to hold the classic derby earlier, on March 23 at 5 p.m., to maximize attendance from fans.
However, this request was not approved by UNAFUT, leading to discussions that resulted in the match being rescheduled to March 26 at 4 p.m. To address concerns about sunlight and working hours that would hinder fan attendance, the final decision to play at 9 p.m. was made.
Mejía emphasized that the late start is intended to foster attendance, stating that they aimed to prioritize the fan experience.
He expressed hope that the local community would rally in support of the match, highlighting the classic rivalry as an event of significant cultural importance within Costa Rican football.
The decision reflects the ongoing balancing act within sports organizations to accommodate national pride and local interests, especially in a football-loving country like Costa Rica.
The match between Liberia and Guanacasteca is scheduled to commence at 9 p.m., shortly after the national team's game, which is set for 7 p.m. This scheduling decision has raised eyebrows due to the overlapping timings involving both national and local interests.
Organizers have articulated their reasoning behind the unusual match timing.
The duel was coordinated with UNAFUT (the National Football League Association of Costa Rica), FUTV (the national football television network), and the Asociación Deportiva Guanacasteca.
According to Jesús Mejía, the general manager of Municipal Liberia, the late start aims to prevent direct competition with the national team’s game, allowing fans to attend both events.
Initially, Liberia's management proposed to hold the classic derby earlier, on March 23 at 5 p.m., to maximize attendance from fans.
However, this request was not approved by UNAFUT, leading to discussions that resulted in the match being rescheduled to March 26 at 4 p.m. To address concerns about sunlight and working hours that would hinder fan attendance, the final decision to play at 9 p.m. was made.
Mejía emphasized that the late start is intended to foster attendance, stating that they aimed to prioritize the fan experience.
He expressed hope that the local community would rally in support of the match, highlighting the classic rivalry as an event of significant cultural importance within Costa Rican football.
The decision reflects the ongoing balancing act within sports organizations to accommodate national pride and local interests, especially in a football-loving country like Costa Rica.
