Sports
CONMEBOL Rejects Flamengo Protest in Marcos Rojo Case
Governing body keeps Estudiantes in the final after denying Brazilian club's ineligible player appeal.
CONMEBOL has rejected Flamengo's formal protest regarding Estudiantes fielding Marcos Rojo in the Copa Libertadores. Bernardo Ramos breaks down the confederation's contradictory stance and analyzes the fallout behind the scenes.
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has rejected Flamengo's protest regarding the fielding of Marcos Rojo in the Copa Libertadores semifinals. Estudiantes had attempted to register the defender twice with the governing body, having their request denied on both occasions. The Argentine club subsequently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and secured provisional clearance to play him in the decisive match.
In the video above, Bernardo Ramos analyzes the South American confederation's contradictory stance, emphasizing how this decision sets a dangerous precedent for future editions of the continental tournament. After all, the governing body itself had barred the player before indirectly validating his appearance in the tie where the Rio de Janeiro club was ultimately eliminated on penalties.
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The legal loophole and the court's response
Context: it is crucial to note that Flamengo's formal complaint did not come after their defeat on the pitch. The club filed its petition on the 21st, whereas the match took place on the 22nd. Journalist Mauro César revealed an official CAS document stating that the authorization granted to the defender was strictly provisional and included explicit caveats regarding potential revocation, as well as disciplinary and sporting sanctions.
This documentation directly contradicts the public stance taken by Estudiantes president Juan Sebastián Verón, who claimed there was no risk whatsoever for the Argentine side. Consequently, according to Bernardo, the Brazilian club acted within its rights by seeking regulatory enforcement, given that their opponent pursued an external legal maneuver following multiple denials from CONMEBOL.
On-pitch performance and tactical scrutiny
Regardless of the legal dispute, Bernardo notes that the off-field controversy does not excuse Flamengo's lackluster performances across both legs. The Rio side took 140 minutes in the tie to register their first shot on target against Muslera's goal, despite playing with a man advantage from the fourth minute of the second half following Baltasar Rodríguez's red card.
As a result, scrutiny of manager Leonardo Jardim remains fully justified. According to reporting by Venê, the head coach is not expected to remain at the helm for 2027. For Bernardo Ramos, while the manager should see out the current campaign, the team's tactical planning and sluggish attacking output completely warrant the supporters' frustration.
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