The Ecuadorian sports world is in mourning after the brutal murder of Javier Ortega , a 48-year-old referee, on Sunday, April 12. This tragedy, of unprecedented violence, occurred before the eyes of a terrified crowd at the Pasaje stadium, in the Los Álamos sector.

Sequence of events: A scene of horror

While the amateur match was in full swing, the field became the scene of a bloody attack. According to witnesses at the scene:

1. The attack: Armed individuals entered the lawn, triggering an immediate panic.
2. The crime: The assailants opened fire on Javier Ortega. Despite the rapid arrival of emergency services, the referee succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
3. The chaos: The presence of many families and children in the stands accentuated the general trauma.

Immediate reactions and measures

The shockwave paralyzed the region. As a sign of respect and for safety reasons, all local sporting events were cancelled .

The Ecuadorian Football Federation reacted strongly:

"We condemn this heinous act and demand enhanced security measures for all football participants, whether professional or amateur."

A high-stakes investigation

The national police have opened an investigation to identify the perpetrators. While all leads are being explored, investigators are particularly interested in the theory of retaliation linked to refereeing decisions made during the match or in previous games.

This tragic murder urgently reignites the debate on the growing insecurity in amateur sport and the need to protect officials, who are increasingly targeted by the frustration of fans and criminals.