RIO DE JANEIRO – The Copa Libertadores final at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana Stadium will be played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) announced this Tuesday.
The resolution follows discussions involving representatives of CONMEBOL, the Brazilian Football Confederation and the fitness authorities.
“The existing scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic, still expanding in South America, does allow to organize an occasion of this magnitude and importance with the presence of the public, even in case of less participation,” said the Asunción-based entity. said in a statement.
Scheduled for January 30, the Copa Libertadores final is the ultimate vital match in South American club football.
River Plate of Argentina and Palmeiras of Brazil have faced off in a semi-final, while Santos and Boca Juniors will face off in the other.
The second-tier South American Cup final, scheduled for January 23 at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Argentina’s Córdoba, will also be played by fans, CONMEBOL reported.