Monday, 11 August 2025

Bourj FC is (again) on the brink of collapse

Bourj FC lost (again) the financial support of their president, Fadi Nasser. This also happened last summer, in 2024, when a group of people had the courage to go on with limited financial means. The team was bottom of the table for most of the regular season, but it then recovered in the play-out (relegation) group, with the help of manager Ahmed Atwi, and, more important, the renewed help from Fadi Nasser, who came back to the club. Bourj FC had an excellent end of the season, finishing top of the table in the play-out (relegation) group, and seventh overall in the Lebanese Premier League, after four wins and a draw in the last five matches.

Bourj FC players, staff and some fans celebrating after a 2-1 win over Riyadi Al Abbasiyeh FC in April 2025. Photo source: Bourj FC Facebook page

The season has just ended on 5 July, and a new season is about to start on 19 September, but the club is once again on the brink of collapse. Fadi Nasser announced that he is leaving, this time for good, and there is apparently insufficient support from the community, from other business people in Bourj el-Barajneh, to save the club from folding. Negotiations led to nothing.

As a result, today the club has issued a statement, which can be seen even as good-bye statement, but also as a cry for help, before it is too late.

Here you have the approximate translation (thank you Google Translate):

Save Al-Bourj Club before it's too late. 

Judge Sami Badih Mansour 

Dr. Ramez Muhammad Ammar 

Professor Suhail Abdul Karim Rahal 

Professor Hassan Al-Sabaa 

Professor Ahmed Kamel Rahal (Abu Ali) 

Professor Rafiq Salem Al-Darsa 

Hajj Adel Fayez Jaloul (Abu Talib) 

Professor Nawaf Ahmad Ammar 

Professor Muhammad Nour Hussein Nabouh 

And others and others... 

Peace be upon your pure souls. And prayers for a long life for Captain Suhail Rahal and Professor Hassan Al-Sabaa. 

Statement issued by the General Assembly of the Al-Bourj Sports Club Association. 

From our region, Bourj al-Barajneh, many football players have emerged and distinguished themselves with most Lebanese clubs. They played for various Lebanese teams, and some participated in the national team, leaving their mark. Some have passed away, while others remain among us. 

Under the banner of Bourj al-Barajneh, the Bourj Club team played in the Premier League for several seasons, crowned with national achievements, including the Lebanese Cup and the Challenge Cup, as well as participation in Arab and Asian competitions. Here we are, on the cusp of the start of a new football season, with Burj Club once again reeling under the weight of a financial crisis. For six years, Bourj al-Barajneh native Mr. Fadi Nasser has shouldered the full burden as the club's main sponsor, giving his all to raise the banner of our hometown club in Lebanon and abroad. He has been instrumental in keeping it in the first division and a fierce competitor to most respected clubs. He has, thankfully, restored its spirit and reminded us of the glory days of the 1990s. But the time has come for the town and its people to shoulder their responsibilities toward the club. Out of loyalty, we must also extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to Rayan Al-Anan, Jihad Al-Anan, Ahmed Harb, and other individuals and institutions for their financial and non-financial support throughout the past season. Therefore, we decided to address the people of our town and its esteemed families, young and old, and fans, to provide everyone with a true picture of the most difficult crisis in the club's history. We also wish to inform them that if solutions are not found to rescue the club from its crisis, the club's administrative body is on the verge of making the difficult decision to officially suspend Al-Bourj Sports Club's activities in the Lebanese Premier League and dispense with the services of its remaining players. Consequently, the club will enter a forbidden phase. Our cry today, as fans of our hometown club, must be born of the coming major crisis that will befall it. The current crisis is almost the worst in our history of playing the game, indeed since the club's founding. This crisis threatens its fate and leaves it trapped in an uncertain future. Therefore, with complete transparency and sincerity, and out of love and concern for Al-Bourj Club, its name, and its position, we renew our call for cooperation and call for the concerted efforts of all the town's residents to rescue it from its crisis, especially since time is not on our side. On the one hand, we appeal to the merchants, industrialists, business owners, and the wealthy residents of the town—who are also entrusted with ensuring the continuity and survival of Al-Bourj Club—to stand as one man alongside this venerable institution during this critical and delicate phase, preserving its progress. On the other hand, if financial stability is achieved, it will have a positive impact on the club and will ensure that Al-Bourj's name remains high, as always, and will protect it from constant shocks. We are hopeful that we will find the appropriate formula that will enable us to continue for years and years, putting the Yellow Castle back on the right track. Let's be realistic: Al-Bourj Sports Club is the face of the town. We all want victories, but the perennial question is: Where will the club come up with the funds to prepare for and begin the sports season and achieve results?! Bourj Al-Barajneh Sports Club has always been a symbol of unity in our region. The time has come to lay the foundation stone and embark on a real institutional journey, one that is not just words, but deeds. 

This requires the support and facilitation of: 

⁃ His Eminence the Grand Mufti of Jaafari, Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan. 

⁃ Representatives Hajj Ali Ammar and Mr. Fadi Alameh. 

⁃ The Shiite Endowments Committee in Bourj Al-Barajneh. 

⁃ The Bourj Al-Barajneh Municipality. 

⁃ The people of the region and its industrial, commercial, and educational institutions, each from their respective positions. To find a rapid and sustainable funding mechanism for the club that will ensure its stability and survival. The general failure of the town's residents, especially those who call themselves notables and prominent figures, to fulfill their duties and refrain from providing assistance, along with the disregard of some of its more capable residents, including merchants and institutions, for their responsibilities to the club by pretending the matter does not concern them. This will be at the disposal of public opinion via social media and the local press. Let's call a spade a spade. Finally: Leaving the club to its fate will certainly lead to its collapse and disappearance from the map, and this is something we must not allow. 

General Assembly of the Al-Bourj Sports Club Association 

Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Cusco FC move into second place and become serious contenders for the title, Ribonetto out of Melgar

FBC Melgar 0-2 Cusco FC

                           Fuentes 31', Callejo 51'.

Sunday, 27 July 2025, 1 pm local time (6 pm UTC), Monumental Vírgen de Chapi Stadium, Arequipa, Peru, 2nd round of Clausura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

Cusco FC starting line-up. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page.

Cusco FC continue their winning streak in style, even when they face some of the best teams in the Peruvian Liga 1. They have now 5 wins in a row, and 11 matches unbeaten, and there are good chances for this record to be improved, because the next opponents (Deportivo Binacional, UTC Cajamarca, Alianza Atlético) are not too scary, taking into account that they have just won 2-0 over Alianza Lima in the first round of Clausura, and then again 2-0 over FBC Melgar (away!) in the second round of Clausura. 

Even without Saravia (whose loan from Universitario finished earlier than expected) and Colitto (sidelined possibly due to injury), Cusco FC looked very strong in all departments, and the work of manager Miguel Rondelli has to be praised. FBC Melgar, one of the strongest teams in the league, looked like amateurs for most of the match, and their manager, Walter Ribonetto, was sacked not long after the final whistle.

Cusco FC maintained ball possession for a lot of time, passing the ball around, creating offensive opportunities, while the opponents basically watched without being able to steal the ball for minutes. However, the first goal came from a set piece. Ivan Colman crossed from the right side into the middle of the box, and Aldair Fuentes headed from close range into the goalkeeper, but the ball came back to him and was able to shoot it in: 0-1 (31').

The two goalscorers, Facundo Callejo (left) and Aldair Fuentes (right), celebrating after the first goal. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page.

Melgar tried to come back in the game, but Cusco FC goalkeeper Pedro Díaz was again in exceptional form and denied them every opportunity.

The second half started very well for Cusco FC, which extended their lead. A high pressing into the opposite field, close to the box, led to Facundo Callejo stealing the ball from a defender right on the edge of the box, and then he entered the box and finished with a powerful shot: 0-2 (51').

Facundo Callejo (left) celebrated the second goal with his teammates, including one from the bench. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page.

The match was not over, but FBC Melgar were unable to do anything, although they kept attacking, and even intensified their offensive towards the end of the game, to no avail. Cusco FC looked stronger than ever, while FBC Melgar seemed to be in a total crisis, especially in front of the goal.

Melgar: Cáceda - Lazo, Deneumostier (Ramos 70'), González, Cabanillas (Quagliata 56') - Orzán, Tandazo (Arias 77') - Bordacahar (Guzmán 70'), Martínez (Rodríguez 77'), Vidales - Cuesta. Manager: Walter Ribonetto.

Cusco: Díaz - Ruidías (Zevallos 75'), Fuentes, Gamarra, Ampuero - Valenzuela, Diez - Silva (Aucca 87'), Colman (Custodio 90'+2'), Da Silva (Milesi 75') - Callejo (Tévez 75'). Manager: Miguel Rondelli.

Referee: Bruno Pérez.

Yellow cards: Tandazo 40', Orzán 45'+3', Cuesta 45'+3'.

Cusco FC are now in second place in Clausura, but they are also in second place in the aggregate table, which would be enough for them to qualify for the play-offs. Given the recent results, Cusco FC has become a serious contender not just for the Clausura, but for the title as well.

Results, tables and fixtures:

Clausura

Round 1 (18-20 July 2025)

 

Alianza Atlético – Sport Huancayo 0-0

Deportivo Garcilaso – Los Chankas 3-0

Universitario de Deportes – Comerciantes Unidos 3-1

UTC Cajamarca – FBC Melgar 1-2

ADT Tarma – Cienciano 1-0

Cusco FC – Alianza Lima 2-0

Sporting Cristal – Alianza Universidad 3-0

Ayacucho FC – Atlético Grau 1-2

Juan Pablo II College – Sport Boys 3-0

Deportivo Binacional bye

 

Round 2 (25-27 July 2025)

 

Sport Huancayo – Juan Pablo II College 5-1

Deportivo Binacional – UTC Cajamarca 0-0

Alianza Universidad – Ayacucho FC 1-2

Sport Boys – Sporting Cristal 0-2

Cienciano – Universitario de Deportes 1-1

FBC Melgar – Cusco FC 0-2

Comerciantes Unidos – Deportivo Garcilaso 0-0

Alianza Lima – Alianza Atlético 1-1

Atlético Grau – ADT Tarma postponed, to be played on 31 August 2025

Los Chankas bye

 

Clausura table

 

1

Sporting Cristal

2

2

0

0

5-0

6

Qualified for the play-offs

2

Cusco FC

2

2

0

0

4-0

6

 

3

Sport Huancayo

2

1

1

0

5-1

4

 

4

Deportivo Garcilaso

2

1

1

0

3-0

4

 

5

Universitario de Deportes

2

1

1

0

4-2

4

 

6

Atlético Grau

1

1

0

0

2-1

3

 

7

ADT Tarma

1

1

0

0

1-0

3

 

8

Ayacucho FC

2

1

0

1

3-3

3

 

9

Juan Pablo II College

2

1

0

1

4-5

3

 

10

FBC Melgar

2

1

0

1

2-3

3

 

11

Alianza Atlético

2

0

2

0

1-1

2

 

12

Deportivo Binacional

1

0

1

0

0-0

1

 

13

Cienciano

2

0

1

1

1-2

1

 

14

UTC Cajamarca

2

0

1

1

1-2

1

 

15

Alianza Lima

2

0

1

1

1-3

1

 

16

Comerciantes Unidos

2

0

1

1

1-3

1

 

17

Los Chankas

1

0

0

1

0-3

0

 

18

Alianza Universidad

2

0

0

2

1-5

0

 

19

Sport Boys

2

0

0

2

0-5

0

 

 

Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) fair-play (according to the number of red and yellow cards); 5) drawing of lots.

 

Round 3 (30 July – 1 August 2025)

 

Ayacucho FC – Sport Boys

Sporting Cristal – Sport Huancayo

ADT Tarma – Alianza Universidad

Cusco FC – Deportivo Binacional

Juan Pablo II College – Alianza Lima

Universitario de Deportes – Atlético Grau

Los Chankas – Comerciantes Unidos

Alianza Atlético – FBC Melgar

Deportivo Garcilaso – Cienciano

UTC Cajamarca bye

 

Aggregate table (Apertura + Clausura)

 

1

Universitario de Deportes

20

13

4

3

42-14

43

Qualified for play-offs & CL

2

Cusco FC

20

12

4

4

38-20

40

Qualified for play-offs & CL

3

Sporting Cristal

20

12

2

6

36-24

38

Qualified for C. Libertadores

4

Alianza Lima

20

11

5

4

24-14

38

Qualified for C. Libertadores

5

Alianza Atlético

20

11

3

6

29-19

36

Qualified for C. Sudamericana

6

FBC Melgar

20

9

7

4

30-23

34

Qualified for C. Sudamericana

7

Sport Huancayo

20

10

4

6

28-22

34

Qualified for C. Sudamericana

8

Deportivo Garcilaso

20

9

4

7

31-19

31

Qualified for C. Sudamericana

9

ADT Tarma

19

7

6

6

25-30

27

 

10

Atlético Grau

19

6

7

6

25-25

25

 

11

Cienciano

20

5

9

6

30-27

24

 

12

Los Chankas

19

5

8

6

24-28

23

 

13

Juan Pablo II College

20

6

4

10

24-33

22

 

14

Sport Boys

20

5

5

10

26-33

20

 

15

UTC Cajamarca

20

5

5

10

18-36

20

 

16

Deportivo Binacional

19

4

7

8

20-33

19

 

17

Ayacucho FC

20

5

3

12

17-30

18

Relegation to Liga 2

18

Comerciantes Unidos

20

2

6

12

18-34

12

Relegation to Liga 2

19

Alianza Universidad

20

2

5

13

17-38

11

Relegation to Liga 2

 

Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) fair-play (according to the number of red and yellow cards); 5) drawing of lots