Santiago Bernabeu set to host return leg of Copa Libertadores final

Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-30 03:24:24|Editor: Chengcheng
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MADRID, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is set to be named as the venue for the return leg of the Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and River Plate.

The second leg of the final to determine the Champions of South America had to be postponed last weekend due to violence outside and inside River Plate's Estadio Monumental, which saw the Boca team bus stoned, injuring several of their players.

The Spanish media said Thursday that the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) had accepted the idea of playing the return leg in Spain on Dec. 9, after rejecting other options (Doha, Miami and Asuncion).

That date would be possible given that Real Madrid play away to Huesca in the Spanish Liga Santander that weekend.

The idea has been accepted by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), world football governing body FIFA and also Real Madrid. And the Spanish government is expected to give the plan the go-ahead on Friday.

Around 250,000 Argentineans currently live in Spain. Given the events of last weekend and also the intense rivalry between both sides, the match will no doubt need to be surrounded by extreme security measures.

Interestingly when Athletic Club Bilbao and FC Barcelona asked for the Bernabeu to be used as the venue for the 2012 and 2015 Copa del Rey finals, Real Madrid refused permission, in 2012 using the excuse that the stadium's bathrooms needed renovating.

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