Libertadores final faces switch for second year

South American football faces the same problem it faced last season, where to play the final of the Copa Libertadores?

Last year, the continental club showpiece between Argentine giants River Plate and Boca Juniors had to be moved to Madrid because of fan violence before the second leg in Buenos Aires.

This year’s match in Santiago, Chile, the first due to be a one-off final, is now in doubt because of social turmoil in the country.

River and Brazil’s Flamengo are due to meet at the Estadio Nacional on Saturday, 23 November.

Chile was picked to host the South American club final because it was seen as an example of political stability and economic development. But now governing body CONMEBOL cannot guarantee the match will be played there. Tickets, media accreditations and hotel reservations were made before Chile’s uprising began two weeks ago, with at least 20 people dead since then. Protesters want better pensions, health care and education. Some have said they will not stand down until Chilean President Sebastian Pinera resigns.

Chile’s government and CONMEBOL yesterday insisted that the final is set to go ahead in Santiago, despite Pinera having called off the Asia-pacific Economic Co-operation and UN global climate gatherings earlier that day. But the concerns remain. “I am worried about the situation Chile is going through,” said River coach Marcelo Gallardo. “We hope this can be settled with peace because of their country and their people and also because of us, so we can be sure where we will play.”

The second leg of last year’s final was due to be played at River’s Estadio Monumental but it did not happen after local fans pelted a Boca Juniors bus with rocks, injuring three players. CONMEBOL moved the decider to Spain against the will of both Argentine clubs. River won 3-1 at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium.