Latest news with #AUF

Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Uruguay resumes training for Copa América after players protest conditions
After refusing to train in protest one week before the start of Copa América Femenina, the Uruguayan women's national team has resumed training and is on its way to Ecuador to compete in South America's premier soccer competition, has learned. The national team's players union, Mutual Uruguaya De Futbolistas Profesionales (MUFP), told on Tuesday that the national team's protest was a result of 'some differences in negotiations.' Advertisement The dispute began after several days of unsuccessful exchanges between the team and the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF). By Saturday, players shared statements across social media declaring they would refuse to train 'because we still have no favorable response to the improvement of our conditions.' Neither the team nor the union shared specific details about those conditions. 'This measure is not against our passion, but rather for a fair right,' their statement said. 'We want to represent Uruguay in the Copa América, but we also deserve dignified treatment for our effort and dedication.' The union spent 'all day' Monday working on a proposal, reaching a resolution with AUF by Tuesday. 'It ended positively,' MUFP General Secretary Mitchell Duarte told . Advertisement MUFP issued an official statement late Tuesday night on their social media as players started circulating the message on their accounts. Some players also started sharing images from the airport. 'After intense negotiations, we reached an agreement with the authorities of the Uruguayan Football Association,' MUFP's statement read. 'We will continue working with the commitment to improve conditions and continue promoting our sports development.' According to Duarte, smaller negotiations remain ongoing regarding transfers, meals and 'a lot of other things.' With the team traveling to Ecuador on Tuesday, they now have a limited window to prepare and acclimate to local conditions. Uruguay opens the tournament Friday night against host nation Ecuador at IDV Stadium in Quito, Ecuador's capital. The city is estimated to be 9,350 feet above sea level. For comparison, Denver's elevation is about 5,280 feet. Advertisement The Uruguayan women's national team has publicly fought for better working conditions in the past. Almost exactly two years ago, about 300 players demonstrated at the headquarters of MUFP in Montevideo, Uruguay, signing a proclamation that demanded 'equal opportunities and access to adequate facilities, resources and financial support,' according to a release FIFPRO issued at that time. Players said they refused to train in 'deplorable conditions, or in public squares or gardens' and refused to use dressing rooms 'without minimum infrastructure and hygiene conditions.' They said clubs provided players with clothing discarded by men's teams, and that players were forced to pay for their transport and, in some cases, their managers or clothing. Some clubs did not cover medical expenses in case of injury. The players also called for added visibility of the Uruguayan league in the media and clubs' social networks. Uruguay is the smallest nation competing in Copa América this summer, both geographically and in terms of population. The team recently had a promising showing against Mexico in a pair of friendlies, drawing 2-2 on May 30 and losing 1-0 on June 3. They are tied with Venezuela for having the least appearances in the tournament, with 6 wins, 3 draws and 20 losses across 29 games. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Uruguay, Women's Soccer, Copa America 2025 The Athletic Media Company


New York Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Uruguay resumes training for Copa América after players protest conditions
After refusing to train in protest one week before the start of Copa América Femenina, the Uruguayan women's national team has resumed training and is on its way to Ecuador to compete in South America's premier soccer competition, The Athletic has learned. The national team's players union, Mutual Uruguaya De Futbolistas Profesionales (MUFP), told The Athletic on Tuesday that the national team's protest was a result of 'some differences in negotiations.' Advertisement The dispute began after several days of unsuccessful exchanges between the team and the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF). By Saturday, players shared statements across social media declaring they would refuse to train 'because we still have no favorable response to the improvement of our conditions.' Neither the team nor the union shared specific details about those conditions. 'This measure is not against our passion, but rather for a fair right,' their statement said. 'We want to represent Uruguay in the Copa América, but we also deserve dignified treatment for our effort and dedication.' The union spent 'all day' Monday working on a proposal, reaching a resolution with AUF by Tuesday. 'It ended positively,' MUFP General Secretary Mitchell Duarte told The Athletic. MUFP issued an official statement late Tuesday night on their social media as players started circulating the message on their accounts. Some players also started sharing images from the airport. 'After intense negotiations, we reached an agreement with the authorities of the Uruguayan Football Association,' MUFP's statement read. 'We will continue working with the commitment to improve conditions and continue promoting our sports development.' According to Duarte, smaller negotiations remain ongoing regarding transfers, meals and 'a lot of other things.' With the team traveling to Ecuador on Tuesday, they now have a limited window to prepare and acclimate to local conditions. Uruguay opens the tournament Friday night against host nation Ecuador at IDV Stadium in Quito, Ecuador's capital. The city is estimated to be 9,350 feet above sea level. For comparison, Denver's elevation is about 5,280 feet. The Uruguayan women's national team has publicly fought for better working conditions in the past. Almost exactly two years ago, about 300 players demonstrated at the headquarters of MUFP in Montevideo, Uruguay, signing a proclamation that demanded 'equal opportunities and access to adequate facilities, resources and financial support,' according to a release FIFPRO issued at that time. Advertisement Players said they refused to train in 'deplorable conditions, or in public squares or gardens' and refused to use dressing rooms 'without minimum infrastructure and hygiene conditions.' They said clubs provided players with clothing discarded by men's teams, and that players were forced to pay for their transport and, in some cases, their managers or clothing. Some clubs did not cover medical expenses in case of injury. The players also called for added visibility of the Uruguayan league in the media and clubs' social networks. Uruguay is the smallest nation competing in Copa América this summer, both geographically and in terms of population. The team recently had a promising showing against Mexico in a pair of friendlies, drawing 2-2 on May 30 and losing 1-0 on June 3. They are tied with Venezuela for having the least appearances in the tournament, with 6 wins, 3 draws and 20 losses across 29 games. (Photo by Yuri Cortez / AFP via Getty Images)


Malay Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Old friends, new goals: Messi joins Suarez in Uruguayan club venture
MADRID, May 28 — From their glory days at Barcelona to reuniting at Inter Miami, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have now brought their enduring partnership into a new chapter, co-founding Deportivo LSM, a club set to compete in professional Uruguayan football. Formerly known as Deportivo LS, the club was founded by Suarez in 2018 in Uruguay's Ciudad de la Costa with a focus on developing local talent and giving back to the community through job opportunities and social initiatives. Yesterday, Suarez announced the rebranding of his club, adding an 'M' in honour of the Argentine captain, who has officially joined the project as a partner. The team are now set to take their next step by entering professional competition in the Uruguayan fourth division. 'Deportivo LS, a family project, is a family dream that started in 2018. We have grown a lot with more than three thousand members and infrastructure,' Suarez said in a video on his Instagram account. 'That's why I made the decision for Deportivo LS to be part of the AUF (Uruguayan FA) structure, both at youth and professional level. 'This project is the perfect place to continue sharing our vision of football. So I invited my friend to join Deportivo LSM's professional project,' added the 38-year-old striker, referring to Messi. According to media reports, the South American pair will jointly oversee operations while appointing a sports manager with experience in the local football scene. 'I would like to thank Luis for giving me this opportunity and share this project that he has been working on for many years and which has grown so much,' the 37-year-old Messi said. 'I hope to contribute as much as I can to continue growing and to be here alongside you.' Uruguay's top scorer Suarez became Messi's close partner on the pitch at Barcelona from 2014 to 2020, forming one of the most prolific attacking duos in modern football. In six seasons, they won 13 major titles together including the Champions League, four LaLiga crowns and four Copa del Rey trophies while also forging a strong personal friendship off the pitch. Their bond continued in 2023 when Suarez joined Messi at Inter Miami. Alongside former Barca teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, the pair led the MLS club to the 2024 Supporters' Shield.


Reuters
27-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Old Friends, New Goals: Messi joins Suarez in Uruguayan club venture
May 27 (Reuters) - From their glory days at Barcelona to reuniting at Inter Miami, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have now brought their enduring partnership into a new chapter, co-founding Deportivo LSM, a club set to compete in professional Uruguayan football. Formerly known as Deportivo LS, the club was founded by Suarez in 2018 in Uruguay's Ciudad de la Costa with a focus on developing local talent and giving back to the community through job opportunities and social initiatives. On Tuesday, Suarez announced the rebranding of his club, adding an 'M' in honour of the Argentine captain, who has officially joined the project as a partner. The team are now set to take their next step by entering professional competition in the Uruguayan fourth division. "Deportivo LS, a family project, is a family dream that started in 2018. We have grown a lot with more than three thousand members and infrastructure," Suarez said in a video on his Instagram account. "That's why I made the decision for Deportivo LS to be part of the AUF (Uruguayan FA) structure, both at youth and professional level. "This project is the perfect place to continue sharing our vision of football. So I invited my friend to join Deportivo LSM's professional project," added the 38-year-old striker, referring to Messi. According to media reports, the South American pair will jointly oversee operations while appointing a sports manager with experience in the local football scene. "I would like to thank Luis for giving me this opportunity and share this project that he has been working on for many years and which has grown so much," the 37-year-old Messi said. "I hope to contribute as much as I can to continue growing and to be here alongside you." Uruguay's top scorer Suarez became Messi's close partner on the pitch at Barcelona from 2014 to 2020, forming one of the most prolific attacking duos in modern football. In six seasons, they won 13 major titles together including the Champions League, four LaLiga crowns and four Copa del Rey trophies while also forging a strong personal friendship off the pitch. Their bond continued in 2023 when Suarez joined Messi at Inter Miami. Alongside former Barca teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, the pair led the MLS club to the 2024 Supporters' Shield.


CNA
27-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Old Friends, New Goals: Messi joins Suarez in Uruguayan club venture
From their glory days at Barcelona to reuniting at Inter Miami, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have now brought their enduring partnership into a new chapter, co-founding Deportivo LSM, a club set to compete in professional Uruguayan football. Formerly known as Deportivo LS, the club was founded by Suarez in 2018 in Uruguay's Ciudad de la Costa with a focus on developing local talent and giving back to the community through job opportunities and social initiatives. On Tuesday, Suarez announced the rebranding of his club, adding an 'M' in honour of the Argentine captain, who has officially joined the project as a partner. The team are now set to take their next step by entering professional competition in the Uruguayan fourth division. "Deportivo LS, a family project, is a family dream that started in 2018. We have grown a lot with more than three thousand members and infrastructure," Suarez said in a video on his Instagram account. "That's why I made the decision for Deportivo LS to be part of the AUF (Uruguayan FA) structure, both at youth and professional level. "This project is the perfect place to continue sharing our vision of football. So I invited my friend to join Deportivo LSM's professional project," added the 38-year-old striker, referring to Messi. According to media reports, the South American pair will jointly oversee operations while appointing a sports manager with experience in the local football scene. "I would like to thank Luis for giving me this opportunity and share this project that he has been working on for many years and which has grown so much," the 37-year-old Messi said. "I hope to contribute as much as I can to continue growing and to be here alongside you." Uruguay's top scorer Suarez became Messi's close partner on the pitch at Barcelona from 2014 to 2020, forming one of the most prolific attacking duos in modern football. In six seasons, they won 13 major titles together including the Champions League, four LaLiga crowns and four Copa del Rey trophies while also forging a strong personal friendship off the pitch. Their bond continued in 2023 when Suarez joined Messi at Inter Miami. Alongside former Barca teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, the pair led the MLS club to the 2024 Supporters' Shield.