Banfield Spirals as Players Strike Over Unpaid Wages, FIFA Blocks Signings, and Crisis Deepens in 2025
Banfield faces turmoil as players strike over unpaid salaries, club halted by FIFA sanctions, and urgent calls for leadership change in 2025.
Quick Facts
- 3 Months: Professional squad unpaid, leading to full-day strike.
- $165,000+: FIFA embargo over debt blocks all new signings.
- 5 Departments: Staff, youth teams, and teachers also joined protests.
- New Coach: Pedro Troglio steps in amid the storm.
Banfield, one of Argentina’s storied football institutions, now faces its most severe crisis in years. On Saturday, the “Taladro” players staged a high-profile protest, refusing to train after three months of unpaid salaries, making international headlines and alarming fans across the nation.
Outside the club’s grounds, tensions echoed as fresh graffiti targeting president Matías Mariotto and his board plastered the walls. Inside, frustration simmered not just with the first-team squad—but with nearly every branch of the organization.
Why Did Banfield Players Stop Training?
The entire professional squad downed tools, demanding immediate payment of overdue wages. Club insiders described a scene of unity and exasperation, as players joined a wave of unrest started days earlier by unpaid club employees and academy staff.
Training ground silence intensified as the club failed to guarantee even basic services. Laundry workers staged their own walkout on Friday, leaving youth teams without clean gear and little choice but to halt their sessions too. Teachers at Banfield’s educational institute ramped up their own strike, pointing to a systemic collapse far beyond football alone.
How Bad Is the FIFA Sanction, and What’s Next?
Banfield’s woes escalated after FIFA imposed a ban on registering new transfers, resulting from a $165,000 debt (plus rising interest) to Club León in Mexico over the Nicolás Sosa Sánchez contract saga. Until this is paid, FIFA rules block all incoming reinforcements, complicating the arrival of new coach Pedro Troglio and his plans to rebuild.
Q: Can Banfield’s Leadership Survive the Backlash?
Furious messages spray-painted across Banfield’s headquarters suggest grass-roots anger is boiling into outright rebellion. Fans and pundits alike demand new leadership, hoping for restoration of pride and stability in the “Taladro”.
How Can Banfield Escape the Crisis Quickly?
Industry experts urge the board to prioritize salary payments and settle international debts immediately. Streamlined negotiations, emergency loans, or even fan-driven fundraising have all been floated as urgent measures—now standard in crisis-hit football worldwide. Monitoring by governing bodies like AFA and FIFPro is expected to intensify.
What Can Fans Do Now?
Supporters unite on social media under the #SalvemosBanfield hashtag, pushing for transparency and fast action from club leaders. Fans can make their voices heard through official clubs, and real-time updates crowd platforms like Twitter and Olé.
Your voice matters now more than ever. Rally behind Banfield—demand accountability, and help shape the club’s comeback. Here’s a quick support checklist:
- Stay informed: Follow announcements from Banfield and official sources.
- Engage with #SalvemosBanfield to amplify support and advocacy.
- Push for financial transparency and leadership renewal in the club.
- Contribute to club-endorsed initiatives or emergency funds if available.
Banfield’s fate lies in urgent, collective action. Let’s help the “Taladro” rise again.
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