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El Ciudadano

Original article: Universidad de Chile evalúa retirar su nombre y emblemas a Azul Azul

The newly appointed rector emphasized that drastic measures are not off the table following a legal report commissioned to review the agreement with the private company.

In an interview with CNN Prime, the newly elected rector of the University of Chile, Alejandra Mizala, announced that the university is assessing a freeze or radical modification of its relationship with the controversial concessionaire Azul Azul. She confirmed that the final decision will depend on a legal report commissioned to a law firm to outline the appropriate legal steps forward.

This university initiative arises from a profound crisis of trust surrounding the private company managing the professional football of the club. They expressed concern over the complete opacity regarding the identities of the true controllers of the company. Furthermore, the situation worsened following the departure of the club’s former president, Michael Clark, who is facing judicial investigations in the so-called Sartor case.

Confronted with this scenario, Mizala stressed the widespread discontent shared by the entire community of the Casa de Bello, stating, «Of course, we are all concerned; there has been a lack of transparency.» She added that within the university, there is unanimous agreement that the branding agreement must be urgently reviewed to protect the institution’s history.

The most significant threat is that the club could lose its name and shield if the company fails to meet minimum conditions. When asked whether they would prohibit the use of the club’s traditional and iconic symbols, the elected rector assured that «nothing is off the table, but it is very important to have strong legal backing to make decisions,» she insisted.

The primary aim of the review is to ensure the respect of the original contract, which contractually obligates the concessionaire to safeguard and honor the university’s public values. Currently, the university has only two representatives on an 11-member board within Azul Azul, a setting from which faculty members had already repeatedly reported irregularities and lack of administrative clarity.

Although the rectorate clarifies that for now the discussion does not seek to immediately sever the commercial link, it will demand a new agreement that increases civic and university participation on the board. With this stance, the University of Chile aims to draw an ethical line, making it clear to the public that the shady dealings of private sports companies do not reflect the values of public education.

El Ciudadano.

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