What to do with Boca and River in a Copa Libertadores that will remain as a blot on the story?

The South American Football Confederation, by its president, Paraguay Alejandro Domínguez resolved that Superfinal's revenge between River Plate and Boca Juniors it will not be played in the Monumental stadium or in Argentina. Finally, after a series of twists, the sporting logic prevailed to partly clean the chaos organization exposed in the last month in our country.

To base this decision, the president of the Conmebol left a report "according to the violence in Buenos Aires, which would endanger the safety of players, officials and supporters, even with criminal acts committed by the authorities. Republic of Argentina is still investigating, it is prudent not to play the last match in this country. "

Subsequently, invoking the principles of "integrity, continuity and stability of competitions", as well as sporting and financial fair play, Domínguez decided that the return match would be played on December 8 and 9, at Time and place, subject to the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal. Meanwhile, a Buenos Aires Security Minister resigned from this post, thus baduming his responsibility in the frustrated security operation. After the riots and destruction in the vicinity of the River Stadium, verbal fencing was instituted between the presidents of River and Boca. "The match will be played at Monumental and with the audience" (D & # 39; Onofrio). "We do not agree to play any games" (Angelici).

The antagonism has matured over the hours, leaving out the so-called "gentlemen's agreement" signed a few days ago. The leaders of Boquenses, with their president Daniel Angelici at the head, are convinced that bypbading the disciplinary rules will allow them to win the Copa Libertadores without playing the rematch. And, if necessary, they will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

But if there are punitive rules establishing the disqualification of the offending club, the times of the disciplinary procedure go against. The magnitude of this sporting event requires a comprehensive understanding of the problem, beyond the letter and the spirit of the settlement. And, in this context, it is useful for sport and the economy to move in the same direction, so as not to lose the aura of credibility over South America (Infantino, President of FIFA, said that he was scared by a future World Cup in this part of the planet).

In the era of the show's civilization (as Mario Vargas Llosa calls it), football attracts billions of viewers. Thus, the entertainment industry is not immune to the consequences of sports regulations, especially when it is up to play a final with the two most competitive clubs in Argentina. For this reason, 46 pages and videos accompanied by the management of Boca were not enough. As nor the abundant flow generated by River will serve to delineate the responsibilities for overselling and reselling tickets for bars known as "Los Borrachos del Tablón".

Beyond the legitimate rights and sporting and economic interests of each club, its authorities have not sufficiently warned of the damage caused to the image that this competition has undergone worldwide. And this lack of realism leads them to "continue to pull the rope" as if it was a student challenge, bringing the dispute to the desks of an entity whose training in disciplinary matters is very debatable.

Nobody noticed either that the last weekend on the Monumental stadium had flown over "the ghost of the 12th door", when on June 23, 1968, 71 fans of Boca were crushed. What would have happened this Sunday if Pablo Pérez had lifted the Cup at the crowning ceremony of the champion? How would the river bars react in and out of the stadium? What would have happened with the celebrations at the obelisk?

Faced with the dark panorama of the answer to these questions, we conclude that the decision to postpone the party saved many lives. Argentine society lives in a belligerent state and violent groups dominate the streets. Football is no exception and is used as a redoubt to fund full-time barrabravas.

This super final is already lost for both clubs and may well have been declared deserted. River will be severely sanctioned beyond the outcome of the match. Boca aims to exhaust all administrative bodies in a legal battle without horizon. The crossroads of where the match will be played and, should it be held behind closed doors or without Argentine supporters, still needs to be resolved. Paraguay or United Arab Emirates.

Maybe the highest bidder will take it as an auction. After downloading the delayed Libertadores curtain, this edition will remain as a blot on the history of South American football. It is not difficult to badume that as Cup, there will be no match.

* Lawyer UBA – Director of Iusport.com Latin America