Copa Libertadores 2018

And a further twist in this Libertadores saga:

River midfielder, Leo Ponzio, may be banned from playing in Spain due to charges of match fixing when he was with Zaragoza.

Back in February Spanish prosecutors requested two years of prison and six years banned from sporting activity for all those involved in allegedly rigging a game between Levante and Zaragoza in 2011, Ponzio included.

The trial is scheduled to begin in 2019, but it is uncertain whether the ban is in place until confirmation of that sentence.
 
And a further twist in this Libertadores saga:

River midfielder, Leo Ponzio, may be banned from playing in Spain due to charges of match fixing when he was with Zaragoza.

Back in February Spanish prosecutors requested two years of prison and six years banned from sporting activity for all those involved in allegedly rigging a game between Levante and Zaragoza in 2011, Ponzio included.

The trial is scheduled to begin in 2019, but it is uncertain whether the ban is in place until confirmation of that sentence.
Seems to me like Boca are doing anything they can here to get their hands on this trophy by any sneaky means possible. Be funny after all this if River smack them 7-0
 
Seems to me like Boca are doing anything they can here to get their hands on this trophy by any sneaky means possible. Be funny after all this if River smack them 7-0

:DIt's got nothing to do with Boca. You did read the player had been involved in match-fixing. Maybe that's where your ire should be directed.
 
If he would have been able to play in Argentina but isn't able to in Spain (what a sentence) then it's a farce if he misses out. The whole thing is an absolute farce to be fair.
 
River are using a reserve squad for Sunday's Primera match. Making sure there are no injuries prior to Madrid:

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Boca don't give as much away with their squad for Sunday's game with Independiente. Surprised if they don't rest certain players, though:

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A direct flight to Madrid from BA has gone up to almost 120,000 pesos. That's 4 times the average monthly salary.

Most are apparently going to fly via Rome or Paris at half that price.
 
If, and it is a big IF the game goes ahead in Madrid on Sunday, 9th December 2018 then BT Sport 2 & Freesports will show it live, 19.30 kick off (at the 3rd attempt) according to LJ's Live Football on Satellite.
 
A direct flight to Madrid from BA has gone up to almost 120,000 pesos. That's 4 times the average monthly salary.

Most are apparently going to fly via Rome or Paris at half that price.

The reason why I find playing this game is Madrid utterly scanadalous.

How are the ordinary fans of River Plate able to fly half way across the world with 2 weeks notice? It's very poor.

Boca have a major advantage of already playing 1 game at home and River have no home advantage.

A massive fine and games behind closed doors next season would have been enough imo.
 
The reason why I find playing this game is Madrid utterly scanadalous.

How are the ordinary fans of River Plate able to fly half way across the world with 2 weeks notice? It's very poor.

Boca have a major advantage of already playing 1 game at home and River have no home advantage.

A massive fine and games behind closed doors next season would have been enough imo.

If the game is played away from the Monumental or behind closed doors then River will have to refund money to all those who bought tickets (legally). Unsurprisingly, this is the highest grossing match in Argentinian history. I mention this as, at the moment, this is another punishment.
 
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I really feel for the "ordinary" fans that could miss out on the biggest game probably in their lifetime....but how could this game ever be played in Argentina?
What a mess!
:(
 
I know Argentinian fans are bonkers about their football but could you even begin to imagine what it would be like if the same scenario was happening here in Glasgow if Rangers and celtic were involved?
:eek:
 
http://www.bocajuniors.com.ar/el-club/boca-conmebol-river

Boca Juniors informs that it has hired to PINTÓ Ruiz & del Valle, one of the most prestigious and recognized studies specializing in international sports law, to add to the legal defense of the institution, through its lawyers Lucas Ferrer and Jordi López appeals both to the Chamber of appeals of Conmebol and eventually to the Court of arbitration for sport, the decisions of the Court of discipline linked with the attack on the micro of the campus suffered the last 24 of November 2018, perpetrated by sympathizers of the CA River Plate in the vicinity and to the income of the Monumental Stadium gate.

In this way, Boca Juniors confirms its decision to exhaust all avenues and resources to achieve justice.



Sounds like Boca have got the Argentine equivalent of Harper McLeod on the case.

They've also got politicians on their board and in positions of power helping them.

Certainly has a familiar ring to it.
 
http://www.bocajuniors.com.ar/el-club/boca-conmebol-river

Boca Juniors informs that it has hired to PINTÓ Ruiz & del Valle, one of the most prestigious and recognized studies specializing in international sports law, to add to the legal defense of the institution, through its lawyers Lucas Ferrer and Jordi López appeals both to the Chamber of appeals of Conmebol and eventually to the Court of arbitration for sport, the decisions of the Court of discipline linked with the attack on the micro of the campus suffered the last 24 of November 2018, perpetrated by sympathizers of the CA River Plate in the vicinity and to the income of the Monumental Stadium gate.

In this way, Boca Juniors confirms its decision to exhaust all avenues and resources to achieve justice.



Sounds like Boca have got the Argentine equivalent of Harper McLeod on the case.

They've also got politicians on their board and in positions of power helping them.

Certainly has a familiar ring to it.

The President of Argentina used to be President of Boca.
 
The President of Argentina used to be President of Boca.

And he’s said it should be played at the Monumental in front of their support.

Conmebol hate Angelici. Boca will get no favours so let’s not pretend there’s a political conspiracy afoot.

Macri also told the Spanish PM he would have preferred the game at Atleti as that’s his Spanish team.
 
And he’s said it should be played at the Monumental in front of their support.

Conmebol hate Angelici. Boca will get no favours so let’s not pretend there’s a political conspiracy afoot.

Macri also told the Spanish PM he would have preferred the game at Atleti as that’s his Spanish team.

Just pointing out to the poster that Macri was President of Boca, Mayor of BA , then President of Argentina. :)

To be fair, I do agree that Macri will want the game played in Argentina, but there have been politics (allegences) involved, during this sorry affair, as Macri was the loudest voice in wanting away fans - as you said yourself, this was to allow Boca to celebrate in front of their own fans.
 
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Just pointing out to the poster that Macri was President of Boca, Mayor of BA , then President of Argentina. :)

To be fair, I do I agree that Macri will want the game played in Argentina, but there have been politics (allegences) involved, during this sorry affair, as Macri was the loudest voice in wanting away fans - as you said yourself, this was to allow Boca to celebrate in front of their own fans.

And Macri was ignored. Conmebol are calling the shots on this and traditionally they've been slanted towards River, certainly not Boca.

Of course, money is the biggest dictator in this.
 
And Macri was ignored. Conmebol are calling the shots on this and traditionally they've been slanted towards River, certainly not Boca.

Of course, money is the biggest dictator in this.

There's a lot of truth in what you say, I was just trying to highlight these issues for those who don't read the Argieball thread. As an active participant you have helped highlight the political links with most clubs: Moyano (union leader) at Independiente; Lammens (running for Mayor of BA) at San Lorenzo; the politcal links with the Barra Brava etc.........

Unfortunately, money and politics seem intertwined in all countries and in all sections of life.
 
There's a lot of truth in what you say, I was just trying to highlight these issues for those who don't read the Argieball thread. As an active participant you have helped highlight the political links with most clubs: Moyano (union leader) at Independiente; Lammens (running for Mayor of BA) at San Lorenzo; the politcal links with the Barra Brava etc.........

Unfortunately, money and politics seem intertwined in all countries and in all sections of life.

Undoubtedly. Just trying to offer a bit of balance on a thread which appears to have decided on the good/bad guys. :)

I think Conmebol have tried to come up with a compromise for the three parties - and ultimately it only suits one, themselves.

Given Boca's stance, Conmebol should have said the game is at the Monumental. The decision could then have been tweaked showing a little compromise to Boca. I also think if Conmebol had been more understanding on the Saturday and called it off immediately, we might not have got to this stage.

However this is a confrontation Angelici has been waiting for.

Incidentally, from what I've read River aren't refusing to play. They're just very much against the decision.
 
Is this the same Real Madrid that refuse to agree to the La Liga game in Miami because it “isny fair” that a team is losing a home game v Barca? Strange they don’t see the same problem now they are making the money from it.
 
Tickets designated to Real Madrid members sold out in an hour. They are now being sold, gratis, if you purchase a pen for €250.

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How did they reach the decision that it'd be in Madrid? Back handers?

Feel sorry for the fans who obviously wont all be able to fly to Madrid to watch their team. Piss poor in all honesty.
 
The Copa Conquistadores: Article looking at the decision to move the superclasico to Madrid.

https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/the...sult-to-58-years-of/tlgoiwcxrryr16ym2bowjdkx3

Good article and hard to disagree with anything.

I wonder if it will re-activate Angelici’s plan of a separate organization. Money from tv rights is already poor - and now Conmebol seem prepared to pocket cash for moving the Final.

If MLS teams are invited to the tournament I doubt it would be long before we see the final in the US.
 
Good article and hard to disagree with anything.

I wonder if it will re-activate Angelici’s plan of a separate organization. Money from tv rights is already poor - and now Conmebol seem prepared to pocket cash for moving the Final.

If MLS teams are invited to the tournament I doubt it would be long before we see the final in the US.

The prospect of the final being played outside of SA has already been mooted. With it going to a single match LA was seen as an ideal host a few years after Santiago.
 
Impressive scenes last night as Boca fans saw off the team as they left for the match in Madrid. Helping to escort (act as security) the bus was Rafa Di Zeo who is head of the Boca barra brava. He's the white haired gentleman in the centre of the picture.

DtqHCtEXQAAR79B.jpg:large
 
Rafa with the suspiciously black hair in the famous Boca/Lazio documentary from a few years ago. I presume he won his comeback fight after being released from prison a few years ago, after a rival had muscled in during his confinement.
 
Rafa with the suspiciously black hair in the famous Boca/Lazio documentary from a few years ago. I presume he won his comeback fight after being released from prison a few years ago, after a rival had muscled in during his confinement.

It's not something I follow but I assume so.

An article that looks at this power struggle as part of an analysis of the barra brava in Argentina.

http://www.goaldentimes.org/into-the-intimidating-world-of-argentine-hooligans/
 
Impressive scenes last night as Boca fans saw off the team as they left for the match in Madrid. Helping to escort (act as security) the bus was Rafa Di Zeo who is head of the Boca barra brava. He's the white haired gentleman in the centre of the picture.

He's waiting to see whether he'll be allowed to travel - he's appealed the original decision saying he can't due to being linked to a kidnapping and two murders. Even if does travel, they're saying he won't be allowed entry to the stadium.

Di Zeo is banned from grounds in Argentina but has been seen at Copa games this season in Brazil, for example.

Apparently 150 of the barras are traveling. Mauro Martín, one of the other 'top boys', is also banned. It is expected Martin's brother will fly La Dolce flag at the game.
 
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