Vacíos legales en la protección de adolescentes futbolistas en Ecuador: análisis multidimensional bajo la doctrina de protección integral

This paper examines the legal and institutional mechanisms protecting adolescent footballers in Ecuador, identifying regulatory gaps that perpetuate their vulnerability. Using a multicriteria approach-legal, institutional, socioeconomic, and international compliance-the study reviews national and international laws, interviews with officials and adolescents, and audits of sports clubs. The results reveal fragmented regulations, a lack of specific labor contract rules for minors in sports, and insufficient state oversight. These deficiencies enable contractual abuses, family pressure, and school dropout, highlighting the urgent need for specialized legislation and strengthened protection mechanisms to ensure the rights of adolescents in Ecuadorian professional football.