Conmebol turns down Atletico Mineiro's stadium request

Rio de Janeiro, July 12 (IANS)

A general view of the Brazilian League match between Atletico and Cruzeiro at the Independencia Stadium on December 2, 2012 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

South American football’s governing body Conmebol has refused a request by Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro to stage the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final at the Independencia stadium.

Atletico will meet Paraguay’s Olimpia in the decider of Latin America’s premier club competition over two legs July 17 and July 24, reports Xinhua.

The 23,000-capacity Independencia stadium in Belo Horizonte, where Atletico has been unbeaten in the competition this season, was ruled unfit for the final due to Conmebol rules requiring venues to seat at least 40,000 spectators.

The request was rejected during a meeting between Conmebol directors last week, Atletico president Alexandre Kalil told Uol.

Next Wednesday’s first leg will be played at the 36,000-capacity Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion due to the absence of an alternative venue.

The 63,000-seat Mineirao stadium has previously been unavailable due to refurbishment work for next year’s FIFA World Cup.