Cienciano coach Horacio Melgarejo has been slapped with a 14-match suspension and a fine of 10 Tax Units (UIT) by the Liga 1 Disciplinary Commission, following his conduct during the club’s game against Alianza Lima at the Alejandro Villanueva stadium.
Two separate sanctions
The punishment is split into two infractions under the Peruvian federation’s disciplinary regulations. The first carries a ten-match ban, during which Melgarejo cannot take part in any competition organised by the Liga de Fútbol Profesional Peruana, along with a fine of four UIT for breaching article 19.
The second infraction, under article 17, brings four more matches out and a further six UIT in fines. Taken together, the two rulings add up to 14 games on the sidelines and 10 UIT in penalties.
Final warning
The commission also made clear that any repeat offence of the same or a similar nature would trigger article 37 of the regulations, with corresponding consequences.
What happened in Lima
The incidents began when referee Sebastián Lozano sent the Argentine off. As he left the pitch, Melgarejo gestured towards the stands in a way that was read as a reference to Universitario de Deportes, angering Alianza supporters and prompting a reaction from people connected to the Lima club.
The confrontation escalated when Melgarejo clashed with members of the Alianza hierarchy, including Franco Navarro Monteiro and his son Franco Navarro Mandayo, who approached the area where the coach was leaving. Members of the Cienciano delegation and stadium security had to step in to restrain them. The events were recorded and later referred to the disciplinary body.
Impact on Cienciano
The ban means Melgarejo will miss Cienciano’s final match of the 2026 Clausura tournament, against Sporting Cristal, where the suspension will begin. Because it covers 14 matchdays, its effects will extend beyond the end of the current campaign and will also affect his eligibility for future competitions run by the league.
Source: depor.com
