The 2023 Peruvian First Division (Liga 1) should have started a week ago, on 20 January 2023, with the first matchday of the Apertura, the first tournament of the competition. However, the authorities did not approve the matches to take place, given the very tense social and political situation of the country, with protests going on a large scale. The protests have started in December 2022 and are politically motivated. The state of emergency was declared in December, and was renewed on 15 January 2023 for another 30 days, so until 15 February. However, the football matches could have taken place if the authorities agreed, which did not happen.
The Peruvian Football Federation postponed the first matchday and decided to start the tournament with the second matchday, scheduled this week-end. Nevertheless, once again, all the matches had to be postponed, at the request of the authorities. This might happen again next week, when the third round is scheduled, and it might go on like that, until the end of the state of emergency. On the other hand, the state of emergency may also be extended again for 30 days on 15 February, so there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the 2023 Peruvian First Division.
More than that, a number of 8 clubs threatened to withdraw from the competition unless the Peruvian Football Federation accepts their TV rights contracts with Consorcio Fútbol Perú (Gol Perú), which broadcasted most of the matches of the Peruvian Liga 1 in the past years. However, with new rules in force since 2019, the Peruvian Football Federation decided that it was their task to negotiate the TV rights on behalf of the clubs, and another company, 1190 Sports, won the TV rights for the 2023 season. The eight clubs in question do not accept this decision and want to comply with their individual contracts established with Consorcio Fútbol Perú. These clubs are Alianza Lima (current champions), Universitario de Deportes, FBC Melgar, Cienciano, Cusco FC, Deportivo Binacional, Deportivo Municipal and Sport Boys. One may notice that Alianza Lima and Universitario de Deportes are on the list, which is really important, as these two clubs attract by far the highest audience in Peru. The other clubs are also among those which have a high number of supporters and viewers across the country. The competition would be much poorer without these clubs, so some sort of agreement has to be found. As one may suspect, the TV rights provide a great deal of the financial support for Peruvian clubs.
Regarding the last three clubs in the list, Deportivo Binacional, Deportivo Municipal and Sport Boys, there are also other reasons to worry about. Deportivo Binacional and Deportivo Municipal had their Licence A revoked, meaning that they can no longer participate in the First Division. They have 5 days to appeal this decision. Sport Boys, on the other hand, have been punished by a deduction of 8 points in the final table of the 2022 season. This is indeed very odd, because the 2022 season is over anyway, and this deduction would place them in a promotion/relegation play-off position, instead of Ayacucho FC. This play-off was already played, and was won by Unión Comercio (Liga 2), which therefore promoted, while Ayacucho FC were relegated. Nevertheless, with this new final table, Ayacucho FC would be above the line and spared from relegation, while Sport Boys are in a dangerous position, because the play-off cannot be played again. It should be added that both Ayacucho FC and Universidad de San Martín de Porres, while relegated, have obtained the Licence A and would be technically eligible to play in the First Division if any of these clubs are relegated for any reason.
The matters are therefore very complicated once again, but hopefully solutions will be found in the best interest of everyone.
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