Palestino has officially closed the payment dispute with Atlético Mineiro regarding the transfer of defender Iván Román. The Chilean club confirmed it received the final installment of the deal, resolving a months-long standoff involving FIFA regulations.
Club president Jorge Uauy confirmed to El Deportivo that the final payment arrived within the timeframe established by FIFA. The payment concludes the obligation for the transfer originally executed in February 2025.
“We have received the full payment from Atlético Mineiro, carried out within the deadline established by FIFA, thus fulfilling the pending obligation,” Uauoy said.
Uauy admitted the club did not anticipate the payment delays. He noted that the situation was unexpected given the prestige of the Brazilian side.
“It is a situation that, sincerely, we did not expect to face when finalizing the transfer of one of our main talents formed at home to a club of Atlético Mineiro's relevance in the South American context,” Uauy added.
Palestino retains 50% of the player's economic rights. The club president expressed confidence that Román's continued development will yield future benefits for the institution.
Legal resolution avoids CAS appeal
Club attorney Javier Gasman stated the club is satisfied with the outcome. He noted that Atlético Mineiro chose to comply with the FIFA ruling rather than escalating the dispute to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Avoiding a CAS appeal saved the Brazilian club significant legal costs and spared Palestino a protracted legal battle. The original transfer involved selling 50% of the defender's rights for $1.5 million, split into three $500,000 installments.
Following the settlement, Palestino is shifting its focus to the Copa Sudamericana. The club is preparing to host Montevideo City at the Estadio Municipal de La Cisterna this Tuesday.
This match marks a historic milestone for the club as it hosts an international fixture at the venue for the first time. Uauy attributed the stadium's readiness to recent infrastructure investments and a new lighting system meeting Conmebol standards.