The Argentine Football Association (AFA) reversed the preventive disaffiliation of El Porvenir, allowing the Gerli team to compete in Primera C. El Porvenir's official debut in the tournament is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, against Club Mercedes at 15:30 at the Gildo Ghersinich Stadium.
The initial sanction was imposed by the AFA Executive Board following an attempted intervention by the Lanús Municipality in the El Porvenir institution. This measure prevented the team from playing its first match against Central Córdoba of Rosario, generating a conflict that was later resolved in a meeting at the Directorate of Legal Persons of the Province of Buenos Aires.
In the midst of the controversy, the president of El Porvenir, Enrique Merelas, reported the mayor of Lanús, Julián Álvarez, accusing him of attempting to take control of the club. Merelas mentioned threats, political maneuvers, and the use of internal information of the institution in a complaint filed by the municipality with the Provincial Directorate of Legal Persons. The AFA considered these facts and temporarily suspended the club to avoid a possible political intervention that could infringe FIFA regulations.
After moving towards resolving the conflict, El Porvenir will be able to participate in the tournament and play its first match next Tuesday. For Club Mercedes, which began with a victory against Cambaceres, this means they will not have a free date and will play their first match as visitors in the category.
