SIC opens investigation against 16 colombian professional soccer teams for alleged antitrust behaviors

The Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) of Colombia, in its role as national authority for competition protection, opened an investigation against 16 Colombian professional soccer teams and the Major Division of Colombian Professional Soccer (DIMAYOR) in order to establish whether these agents would have limited free competition in the market for the sports rights of Colombian soccer players, by preventing the transaction of at least 16 players between 2018 and 2021. 

Also, the SIC opened an investigation against 20 individuals that were linked to the aforementioned agents, in order to establish if these individuals facilitated, collaborated or executed the alleged antitrust behaviors.  

The investigation began after the SIC received a complaint presented by the Colombian Soccer Association (ACOLFUTPRO). According to ACOLFUTPRO, 10 of the investigated clubs would have sent communications to other clubs in order to prevent the transaction of the sports rights of at least 16 players between 2018 and 2021. 

SIC has also proven that DIMAYOR, in its role as governing body of the Colombian professional soccer clubs, would have been aware of the existence and content of lists of banned players. Despite this, and having legal mechanisms to sanction these behaviors in its Disciplinary Commission, DIMAYOR maintained a passive position allowing de facto sanctions on the players who tried to exercise their rights in the investigated football clubs.