Fluminense, Boca Juniors, CBF and Conmebol ask fans for peace after violence in Rio – 11/03/2023 – Sport

In videos published on social networks, the presidents of Fluminense and Boca Juniors called for peace and unity among fans for the Libertadores final, which takes place this Saturday (4), at Maracanã. “This is not a war, it is a football match,” said Jorge Ameal, president of the Argentine team.

On Thursday (2), nine fans were detained in two different outbreaks of confusion between fans in Copacabana. According to the Military Police, seven Argentines and two Brazilians were taken to the police station. Argentine media released an audio in which one of the leaders of the Xeneize organization calls on Tricolor fans to fight.

Faced with growing tensions, Conmebol (South American Football Confederation) called the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation), the AFA (Argentine equivalent of the CBF), Fluminense and Boca Juniors for a meeting this Friday (3).

After the meeting, the entity released a note stating that the meeting’s central theme was security. All measures taken so far to protect players and fans were reviewed, as well as the areas and entrances designated at the stadium for fans of each team, according to the statement.

“In the case of two clubs with enormous popular appeal, it is essential to take maximum precautions […] to minimize all possible contact between fans”, states Conmebol in the note.

The statement concludes by recalling that the directors of the two clubs signed a document in October establishing that they “are committed to promoting campaigns and actions against violence and racism within their respective fans.”

Shortly after the end of the meeting, Conmebol published a video on its social networks with Mário Bittencourt, president of Fluminense, and Jorge Ameal, from Boca.

“It is very important that we establish, from today to tomorrow, a climate of peace, which can unite the two people, the two fans, so that we can be at Maracanã tomorrow having a beautiful football celebration”, said Bittencourt.

Ameal stated that “what we want is to say that we are going to play with the public and that there will not be any problems. We ask people to respect, this is not a war, it is a very important thing, this is a football match”.

“We really like the Brazilian people and we want them to like us too. We want our people to be happy, happiness is football,” said the Argentine.

Also on social media, the Fluminense captain sent a similar message: “We are living in a unique moment for the team and the fans, and we know that tomorrow, on the field, will be a great game and we will do everything to win this title. That Outside of it, let it be a moment of great joy and peace, and may we enjoy every moment together. May it be a great game, greetings from the tricolors!”, stated the defender.

The president of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, told ge, from Globo, after the meeting, that the match will take place with the presence of fans, but that this “will depend on the fans. From now on, the fans have to unite in around peace, because it is security above all.”

According to him, “if you don’t have this peace, […] Of course there is the possibility of having [a final] without an audience.”