Libertadores final to be played in Madrid News

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Libertadores final to be played in Madrid

By Daily Sports on November 30, 2018

The postponed Copa Libertadores final second leg between Argentine clubs River Plate and Boca Juniors will be played at Real Madrid’s stadium on December 9, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Thursday.

CONMEBOL said the match could not take place in Argentina due to fears of more fan violence after Boca players were hurt when River supporters attacked their coach on the way to the scheduled game in Buenos Aires last Saturday.

“The decision is that this game is going to be played in front of fans from both clubs in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium,” CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez said.

“The game will be played on Sunday December 9 at 20:30.”

Argentina’s two biggest teams drew the first leg 2-2 at Boca’s ground and were due to play the second match in South America’s equivalent of the Champions League final at River’s Monumental stadium on November 24.

Boca players sustained injuries, however, when River fans attacked their coach as it approached the stadium and the game was first delayed until Sunday before being postponed indefinitely. [nL2N1Y00 67]

A CONMEBOL tribunal also ruled against Boca’s appeal to be awarded the match because of the violence. It fined River $400,000 and ordered them to play their next two CONMEBOL matches behind closed doors.

The violent incidents outside the Monumental were beamed around the world, embarrassing Argentina days before this weekend’s G20 summit in Buenos Aires.

They happened in spite of the fact away supporters are banned from derby matches in Argentina because of recurrent trouble between fans.

The task will now fall to Spanish authorities to ensure the game between two of the bitterest rivals in sport goes ahead peacefully at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium.

“Spain is ready to organise the final of the #CopaLibertadores between @BocaJrsOficial and @CARPoficial,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Twitter.

The government is already working with law enforcement authorities to ensure security for the event, he added.

Qatar, Miami, and stadiums in Brazil and Colombia were among those who offered to stage the game, the biggest in the Libertadores’ 58-year history.

But Spain’s position as a footballing hotbed with excellent flight connections to Latin America swung the decision in Madrid’s favour.

The Libertadores winners will represent CONMEBOL in the Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates days later.

The tournament kicks off on December 12 with the South American team due to play their first match on December 18. European champions Real Madrid are among the clubs taking part. (SuperSport)

•Photo shows Copa Libertadores trophy

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 30, 2018