Fans left out of pocket as Conmebol switches Copa Libertadores final from Santiago to Lima
November 6 – Conmebol have shifted the final of the Copa Libertadores from the Santiago to Lima because of security concerns in the Chilean capital.
South America
Conmebol adamant that Copa Libertadores final will remain in Chile despite civil unrest
October 30 – Conmebol is still maintaining that the final of the Copa Libertadores will be go-ahead as planned in Santiago, but wants to clarify the situation in a meeting with the Chilean president Sebastian Pinera amid the ongoing social unrest in the country.
Tite heads to Saudi for Argentine and South Korean friendlies with no Brazil-based players
October 28 – Brazil coach Tite has refrained from calling up home-based players for November friendlies against Saudi Arabia and South Korea, avoiding another club versus country row.
Chilean unrest forces Conmebol to suspend Futsal Copa America, but Libertadores still on
October 25 – Conmebol have suspended the Futsal Copa America in Chile amid ongoing social unrest in the country, fueling speculation that the Copa Libertadores final could be shifted away from Santiago.
Flamengo turn on the style at Maracana to set up Copa Libertadores final against River Plate
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
October 24 – Flamengo trashed Gremio 5-0 to reach the Copa Libertadores final. They will meet Argentina’s River Plate, who had previously eliminated Boca Juniors. The winner of South America’s premier club competition will represent the continent at the Club World Cup in Qatar.
Conmebol confirm Copa Libertadores final will stay in Santiago
October 22 – South American football governing body Conmebol has confirmed that the 2020 Copa Libertadores final will still be staged in Santiago amid growing fears over the social unrest engulfing the Chilean capital.
Maracana in pole position for 2020 copa Libertadores final
October 15 – Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium are favourites to stage the 2020 Copa Libertadores final ahead of Thursday’s decision by Conmebol on host venue.
Ecuadorian unrest threatens women’s Copa Libertadores
October 15 – A wave of political unrest in Ecuador has spilled over into football with world players’ union FIFPro calling for the women’s Copa Libertadores to be called off.
Brazil revamps domestic calendar to avoid club vs country row
October 4 – In a bid to end longstanding disputes and conflicts between club and country, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has released a 2020 domestic calendar which prevents domestic fixtures from clashing with FIFA dates. That provision will not apply to the 2020 Copa America.
Copa Libertadores: River Plate find an edge but all square in Brazil in race for Qatar CWC slot
October 3 – River Plate have taken a huge step towards the final of the Copa Libertadores after defeating Buenos Aires rivals Boca Juniors 2-0 in their semi-final first leg. In the all-Brazilian semi-final, Gremio and Flamengo shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
Calendar clash: Tite underfire from clubs as he calls up domestic players for Brazil’s Asian friendlies
By Samindra Kunti
September 23 – Brazil coach Tite has called up seven home-based players for the October friendlies against Nigeria and Senegal, reigniting the debate about Brazil’s club and international calendar.
Unfinished business: Neymar could be back in Barcelona by Christmas
By Paul Nicholson in Edinburgh
September 5 – PSG’s €200 million star Neymar Jnr could leave the club as early January for Barcelona, though more likely at the end of the season if PSG play him in Champions League matches before the Winter transfer opens.
Brazil use Ronaldinho to fish for tourists in ambassadorial role, but keep his passport
September 6 – Former Barcelona star Ronaldinho Gaucho has been named a tourism ambassador in Brazil despite his travel ban.
CBF brings in financial fair play giving clubs have 3 years to evolve
September 2 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) will introduce new fair play rules that clubs will have to comply with from 2020, but sanctions for rule-breakers will only be enforced from 2023 onwards.
Lightning strikes twice: Boca Juniors and River Plate to renew Copa Libertadores battle
August 30 – In a rematch of last year’s tumultuous Copa Libertadores final Boca Juniors will play Buenos Aires rivals River Plate in the last four of the competition after eliminating Paraguay’s Cerro Porteno. In the other semi-final, Flamengo will meet Gremio in an all-Brazilian affair.