Conmebol (South American Football Confederation) will transfer the clash between Peñarol and Botafogo, in the Libertadores semi-final, to the Centenário stadium, in Montevideo, this Wednesday (30), at 9:30 pm. The second duel between the two teams was initially scheduled to take place at the Campeón Del Siglo stadium, but was changed for security reasons.
Furthermore, the Uruguayan club received a statement from the entity this Tuesday (29) informing that the game will be attended by fans of both teams.
The Uruguayan government agreed to the change. According to the director of the National Police, José Manuel Azambuya, the exchange will provide the necessary security guarantees.
“It is a highly complex match. Given this situation, we understand that at the Campeón del Siglo stadium both sides could not play, and (the match) would have to be played only with local sides, that is, the Peñarol fans,” he said. Azambuya.
“The National Police and the Ministry of the Interior are in agreement (with the game at Centenário), because it is a place that provides conditions. We have held many events there, we have the experience and we understand that, due to the structure and location, there would be possibilities and guarantees to play the matches with both fans”, added the police director.
A week after the scenes of confusion and violence in Rio de Janeiro with Uruguayan fans, the Uruguayan Ministry of the Interior had announced a ban on Botafogo fans attending the Campeão do Século stadium.
In a statement this Monday (28), minister Nicolas Martinelli said that, “in view of the violent incidents in Rio” and “for security reasons to avoid possible reprisals that could trigger more disturbances”, they will prohibit the entry of Botafoguenses.
“The events in Rio triggered events that increase the hostile atmosphere and highlight the high risk that would exist” in a possible meeting of these fans, wrote Martinelli, minister in Luis Lacalle Pou’s government, on social media.
In a statement, Botafogo said it was surprised and added that it considers Uruguay “a country that has all the conditions to guarantee that the match can take place safely”. The Uruguayan government says that the guidance to stop Botafogo fans came after an assessment by the local security forces themselves.
Conmebol (South American Football Confederation) responded and demanded that the fans be received.
A week ago, more than 280 Peñarol fans were detained in the north of Rio de Janeiro, after a widespread fight on the waterfront of Recreio dos Bandeirantes, in the west of the city. The majority were released, but around 20 are still detained.
