October 30 – South American governing body Conmebol have moved the semi-final of the Copa Libertadores between Penarol and Botafogo to the Centenario Stadium to allow visiting supporters to attend the match.
The second leg of the last-four encounter on Wednesday was originally scheduled for the 40,700 capacity Campeon Del Siglo, Penarol’s home ground, to the 60,235 capacity Centenario Stadium, the ground of the 1930 World Cup final that serves as Uruguay’s national stadium.
At the last minute, the Uruguayan authorities had banned Botafogo supporters from attending the match because of security concerns, but they relented when Conmebol switched the venue. In Brazil, Uruguayan fans had clashed with local police in the buildup to the first leg.
Around 1,600 Botafogo are expected to attend the second leg in Montevideo. The Centenario Stadium, a much larger venue than the Campeon Del Siglo, will allow the local police to offer the visiting supporters more security guarantees.
Last week, Botafogo won the first leg 5-0 and the Rio club is on the cusp of reaching their first-ever Copa Libertadores final. In the other semi-final, Atletico Mineiro eliminated River Plate winning 3-0 in the second leg after drawing the first 0-0.
The final will be staged on November 30 at the Monumental Stadium, River Plate’s home ground, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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