Alejandro Domínguez, president of CONMEBOL, was set to attend the launch event of the AUF Uruguay Cup but had to cancel due to flight cancellations caused by fog. Ignacio Alonso, in charge of the event, explained that 'he could not come because of weather conditions.' However, Domínguez emphasized his support for the 'Uruguay Cup process,' which has been a cornerstone of new competitions organized by AUF.
Despite his absence, Domínguez sent a message expressing his 'affection' towards Uruguay. He stated: 'If there is another nation I love as my own, it's Uruguay because many moments of my life were spent in Uruguay. As an athlete, tourist, and lover of football, I have 30 years of experience as a leader and another 23 years as the son of a leader. These 23 years helped me form the basis of the leadership that I now carry out. The school that taught my father how to lead in football is the school of Uruguayan leadership, with which today I can speak with this affection and recognition because I owe it to this school, the school of Uruguayan football, those leaders who loved their colors above any other ambition, whose colors were the cause of great sporting battles that achieved what was considered impossible.'
Domínguez also praised Ignacio Alonso as 'a great leader' and a key figure in the change of South American football. He acknowledged the significant progress made by AUF under Alonso's leadership, stating: 'It was so sad to understand that we were condemned to this, that it was already like this, that we were born for this, that more was impossible.' Domínguez highlighted that Uruguay has become 'the example of the continent' due to increased resources generated under Alonso's administration. He said: 'Now it turns out that what they told us did not hold up, and the numbers today show that when we are together, there is no one we cannot beat, and it is a lie that we are condemned to be poor.'
Regarding the 2030 World Cup, Domínguez called Alonso an 'important ally' and praised his leadership. He also thanked Tabaré Vázquez for being a pioneer and Luis Lacalle Pou and Yamandú Orsi for supporting Uruguay's flag in this endeavor.
