Peruvian football club Cienciano del Cusco have received a major boost after the Court of Arbitration for Sport suspended a one-year ban handed to manager Horacio Melgarejo, allowing the Argentine coach to return to the bench in Peru's Liga 1.
The international tribunal accepted a precautionary measure presented by Melgarejo, lifting his suspension until a final ruling is delivered in the case.
The decision arrived on Thursday, August 20, 2026, just hours before Cienciano host Brazilian side Botafogo in the second leg of their Copa Sudamericana tie.
Journalist Gustavo Peralta reported on the television program Modo Fútbol that the tribunal, known globally as TAS, approved the coach's petition for interim relief. Peralta stated that the manager's one-year sanction would remain suspended until the court issues a definitive decision.
Disciplinary action over League Cup comments
The Disciplinary Commission of the Peruvian Football Federation originally issued the one-year ban and a fine of 20 Tax Units (UIT) following Melgarejo's public criticism of the Copa de la Liga.
The penalty stemmed from remarks Melgarejo made after Cienciano were eliminated by ADT in the round of 16 of the tournament. Speaking to the media, the manager expressed sadness over the result but praised his squad for fighting until the end. He added that he was also pleased to exit a competition he described in coarse terms as poorly conceived by the federation, asserting that the tournament made no sense and was a dreadful competition.
Melgarejo subsequently apologized for his statements and confirmed he had turned to international sports bodies to overturn the punishment. The Argentine manager is currently navigating his first season in charge of the Cusco-based club.
Copa Sudamericana clash against Botafogo
The ruling comes as Cienciano prepare for a crucial match on Thursday, August 20, seeking a place in the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana against Botafogo. The Peruvian side enter the fixture holding a commanding 6-1 lead from the first leg of the series.
Cienciano, based in the high-altitude city of Cusco, compete in Liga 1, the top tier of professional football in Peru. The Court of Arbitration for Sport, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, is an independent international judicial body that resolves legal disputes in sport.
