COPA LIBERTADORES
Will fans be allowed to attend the 2023 Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and Fluminense?
Fighting in Rio between supporters of the two clubs has led to speculation that match at Maracanã will be played behind closed doors.
The build-up to Saturday’s Copa Libertadores final in Rio de Janeiro has been marred by altercations between some of the more hardcore elements of the Fluminense fanbase and their Boca Junior counterparts. On Thursday, groups of opposing fans were seen confronting one another on Copacabana beach which led to discussions about whether the game at Maracanã should be played behind closed doors.
Fans will be allowed in to see Boca vs Flu
Following the unsavoury scenes, CONMEBOL (the South American Soccer Confederation), the AFA (Argentine Soccer Federation) the CBF (Brazilian Soccer Federation) and both clubs met on Friday and ultimately decided supporters will be allowed to attend the final. The meeting was also used to discuss the best way to ensure there are no more violent scenes inside and in the vicinity of the stadium.
CONMEBOL calls for increased security and fans to behave
On Thursday night, CONMEBOL made a request to the Governor of Rio de Janeiro, Cláudio Castro, and the Executive-Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Cappelli, to increase security in different parts of the city in order to prevent a repeat of Thursday’s incidents.
South American soccer’s governing body also made a public plea to both sets of supporters following the altercations: “CONMEBOL calls on the fans of Boca Juniors and Fluminense to share together the moments of joy and celebration that our football gives us. The values of the sport that we are most passionate about must inspire behaviors of peace and harmony. For this reason, we repudiate the acts of violence and racism that may occur within the framework of this final.”
Fluminense’s home advantage in Libertadores final
Since 2019, the Copa Libertadores final has normally been played at a neutral venue chosen months before it is due to be played. This season, however, Fluminense, who have never won the tournament, have managed to qualify for the showpiece game, which will coincidentally be played at their home ground, the iconic Maracanã, which also hosted the 1950 and 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.