After a two-week suspension of the Liga de Ascenso’s Apertura 2025 tournament due to an appeal over alleged improper lineup, the Costa Rican Football Federation’s (Fedefútbol) Appeals Tribunal has issued a final decision allowing Cariari Pococí to advance to the semifinals. The championship had been halted during the quarterfinals after Jicaral Sercoba filed a complaint, arguing that Cariari Pococí used an ineligible individual on their bench during the match held on November 30.
Cariari Pococí had initially won their series against Jicaral Sercoba with a 4-3 aggregate score. Jicaral’s leadership challenged this outcome, claiming that Cariari’s staff included someone not properly registered for bench presence. Specifically, they argued that doctor Diego Rojas should have been registered instead of masseur José Luis Rosales. In practice, it was Isaac Rosales, the team’s equipment manager—who was eligible—who left the bench.
The first ruling from the Liga de Ascenso Disciplinary Committee supported Jicaral’s protest and awarded them advancement to the semifinals, effectively eliminating Cariari Pococí. Wagner Guzmán, president of Cariari Pococí, appealed this verdict and stated to La Nación: “In the Federation we were given reason, as I believe should have been done by the League Committee at first. This is a final resolution from the highest appeals committee in national football and there is no higher instance; it cannot be appealed further.”
On Monday, Fedefútbol’s Appeals Tribunal accepted Cariari Pococí’s appeal in full and reversed earlier decisions made by league authorities. The federation explained in its statement: “This is a firm resolution and of last resort within the federation.”
With this decision, preparations resumed for the semifinal between Palmares—who defeated Escorpiones de Belén on penalties—and Cariari Pococí. The first leg will take place Tuesday, December 16 at Estadio Jorge Palmareño Solís at 8 p.m., with the return match scheduled for Saturday, December 20 at Estadio Comunal de Cariari.
Guzmán emphasized that justice was served because his team secured victory on the field rather than through administrative measures: “I think justice was done and credit given to the team that won on the pitch. We always trusted that someone would give us reason because there was no improper lineup. We are in semifinals and we are going all out for a place in the final; this is a reward for our effort,” he said.
The winner of this semifinal will face Inter San Carlos—who reached the Apertura final after defeating Quepos Cambute with an aggregate score of 6-0—in pursuit of a spot in either a national final or direct promotion to Costa Rica’s First Division if they also win next year’s Clausura tournament.
