Boca Junior’s sweet plan for Bombonera expansion
January 6 – Argentine giants Boca Juniors want to expand their Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires to become a state-of-the-art venue with a larger capacity.
South America
Suspicion of Ethics cover-up as Peruvian ticket scheme goes unpunished
By Paul Nicholson
January 3 – Hopes that the FBI investigations and US Justice Department indictments in 2015 had kick started a governance reform and an end to football corruption in South America are foundering after information that FIFA and Conmebol have failed to act on a Word Cup ticket re-sale scandal by former Peruvian FA (FPF) officials.
Relegation escapees Botafogo plan for a more commercial future
December 13 – Financially challenged Brazilian top tier club Botafogo, is to transition from an association to a corporate structure to professionalise operations. Debt at the Rio club has risen to more than €200 million.
Cruzeiro relegation sparks violence in Belo Horoizonte as rioting fans clash with police
December 9 – The final day of the league season in Brazil was marred by violence as Belo Horizonte giants Cruzeiro were relegated for the first time in their history from Brazil’s top flight following a 0-2 defeat at home to Palmeiras.
Expanded 2020 Copa America draw pitches Aussies with Argentina and Qatar with Brazil
December 5 – The draw for the 2020 Copa America, held in the Colombian city of Cartagena, has drawn Argentina with Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and invitees Australia. In the other group reigning champions Brazil and co-hosts Colombia were paired with Peru, Equador, Venezuela and Asian champions Qatar.
Chilean anti-government violence forces cancellation of remainder of league season
December 2 – In an unprecedented move that has drawn football inexorably into the political arena, Chile has cancelled the entire rest of its domestic season following weeks of anti-government protests that have led to a reported 26 deaths and hundreds of serious injuries.
Flamengo continue their march to Doha laying waste to Palmeiras on the way
December 2 – Flamengo may have won the double, the domestic title and the Copa Libertadores, but even in the final rounds of the Brazilian league their scalps have severe ramifications. On Sunday, Palmeiras coach Mano Menezes and director of football Alexandre Mattos were dismissed following a 3-1 defeat at home against the newly crowned champions.
World’s favourites Chapecoense hit by relegation but vow to come back stronger, again
November 28 – Chapecoense have been relegated from the Brazilian top flight, ending a six-year spell in the first division that was punctuated by the dramatic airline crash that killed 71 people three years ago.
Gabigol double seals Copa Libertadores for Brazilian giants Flamengo
By Samindra Kunti in Lima
November 25 – Late heroics from Gabriel Barbosa ‘Gabigol’ crowned a resilient Flamengo Copa Libertadores champions on Saturday against River Plate with a 2-1 victory and within 24 hours the Rio giants won the Brazilian league after Palmeiras failed to collect any points at Gremio, becoming the first Brazilian club to complete the double since Pele’s Santos in the 60s.
Flamengo and River Plate fans flood to Lima expecting a Copa Libertadores classic
By Samindra Kunti in Lima
November 21 – Tomorrow’s Copa Libertadores final between Brazilian giants Flamengo and defending champions River Plate has all the makings of a classic. but the fan logistics around the switch of the final to Peru raise questions about the direction Conmebol has taken its showpiece club game.
Heineken renews its Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana sponsorships through 2024
November 21 – Having renewed its sponsorship of UEFA’s club competitions, Heineken has followed up with a renewal of its Conmebol deal for South America’s two leading club competitions, with Amstel being the brand partner.
Chilean players boycott Peru friendly in support of ‘atmosphere’ in country
November 14 – Chilean football has been plunged into further crisis after national team players took the rare collective step of pulling out of next week’s friendly with rivals Peru as their country continues to suffer from weeks of protests and violent unrest.
US prison dodger Burga falls foul of FIFA Ethics with life ban and $1m fine
November 13 – Manuel Burga, the Conmebol bigwig acquitted in the United States two years ago for his alleged role in the FifaGate scandal, has been banned for life by FIFA for taking bribes.
Chilean club championship set to resume after month-long suspension
By David Owen
November 11 – The Chilean football league may resume at the end of this week after a near month-long hiatus caused by the street violence and demonstrations that have swept the country.
Ecuador’s rags to riches Independiente beat Argentina’s Colon to take Copa Sudamericana
November 11 – Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle defeated Colon of Argentina 3-1 to win the Copa Sudamericana and cap off a fairytale run.