The Independiente’s foundations tremble once again. This time with the unexpected resignation of the journalist Fabián Doman as president of the club, just six months after winning the elections on October 6, 2022. The decision was communicated to the partners through a letter that they posted on their Twitter account.
In his statement, Doman stated that “the economic, sports and legal crisis of the club has no precedent” and that he did not find “the tools to help the club”so that the first vice president Néstor Grindetti -mayor of the municipality of Lanús- would take his place.
“The magnitude of the crisis was greater than expected and, above all things, the economic income was much less than what was presumed. Marketing income is negligible when compared to Independiente’s liabilities. However, the club canceled debts for millions of dollars thanks to the contributions. Economic commitments that made it possible for the political space that removed Moyano to take place did not appear and will not appear,” he wrote. Doman, who won the elections on October 2, 2022 with 71.91% of the votes and completed just six months at the helm of the club.
The poor sports results and the economic problem that worsened with the case of Gonzalo Verón deepened the crisis of the Avellaneda club in the days before the classic against Racing.
At this time, threats appeared on graffiti, signed by the partners: “The day we kill a leader they will stop robbing us” and “win on Sunday or bullets for everyone”.
Last Sunday, after the 2-1 home defeat against Estudiantes, Red fans expressed their anger with whistles and songs against the players during the game and, once it was over, those targeted were leaders such as the sports director Pablo Cavallero and Cristian Ritondo.
“The depth (of the crisis) is so great that it is not enough with a single political space or a group of wills. In these six months of management we have achieved many successes, but we have also made mistakes, economically and in sports. We achieved the goal that seemed impossible: get Hugo Moyano and Yoyo Maldonado out of the club,” Doman says in his letter.
“On the sporting front there are always three scenarios. The best, the average and the bad. The third was given. Responsible? All. It would be very easy to blame everything on the professional staff. I am not going to do it. However, I understand that the economic crisis is much deeper and more serious. You don’t turn around only with sports victories, “he continued.
“Independiente will have to learn to live together not only at the managerial level but in everything that surrounds it as an institution with less rancor and resentment. There isn’t even a crack. There is a senseless all against all. I tried to unite sectors and dialogue with everyone. It was also impossible. Personal rancor is above the club. For 30 years,” the television host justified.
Doman’s letters
To the fans and supporters of Independiente.
The club lives difficult times. The worst in its history. The economic, sports and judicial crisis of the club has no precedents. We already know where it comes from.
Its depth is so great that it is not enough with a single political space or a group of wills.
In these six months of management we have achieved many successes, but we have also made mistakes, economically and in sports.
We achieved the goal that seemed impossible: get Hugo Moyano and Yoyo Maldonado out of the club.
I presented myself as a candidate for president, clarifying in each appearance in the media that my government would be in transition, for a single period and for a single reason: no one dared to face Moyano as a candidate for president.
Already in the dub, the worst began to happen: the magnitude of the crisis was greater than expected and, above all, the economic income much less than what was presumed. Even having today the second best-selling clothing in the country, marketing income is tiny when compared to Independiente’s liabilities.
However, the club canceled thanks to contributions, player sales and different income, debts for millions of dollars in these months. From the AFIP, going through inhibitions, to months of back salaries. But it’s not enough.
Economic commitments, which made it possible for the political space that removed Moyano to take place, did not appear and do not appear.
Nor is it an economic-financial project according to the club. It was not my task to make or prepare it. In a Board of Directors the roles are diversified. However, my responsibility as President led me to obtain financial support without which the club would not have been able to pay its December salaries or bonuses.
On the sporting front there are always three scenarios. The best, the average and the bad. The third was given. Responsible? All. It would be very easy to blame everything on the professional staff. I am not going to do it.
However, I understand that the economic crisis is much deeper and more serious. It does not turn around only with sports victories.
It is evident that the tools to help Independiente have not been found. Reason for which I present my resignation from the position of President of the club. I have a clear conscience. Like the hands. I have left my job for Independent. And I would do it again-
And there is not a day of the year that I have not been seen at a club facility. I have left everything and more.
My personal thanks to Cristian Ritondo, who always supported me in everything.
Independiente will have to learn to live together not only at the managerial level but in everything that surrounds it as an institution with less rancor and resentment. There isn’t even a crack. There is a nonsense all against all.
I tried to unite sectors and dialogue with everyone. It was also impossible. Personal grudges are above the cub. Since 30 years ago. Many in my place speculated with some favorable result to carry out this announcement. Or make it public after the classic on our stadium, the most important game of the year. But delaying the decision that many members of the Board of Directors have already learned about would also be disrespectful to everyone.
A final paragraph for the fan. The one who goes to the field, the one who joined, the one who subscribed, the one who does not belong to any political space and who is not part of the day-to-day life of the club, and the one who is having a hard time today, like me. I apologize to that fan because I know they believed in me. And that many continue to do so.
Thank you.