River Plate Denied Permission to Register Back-Up Goalkeeper in Copa Libertadores

Rodolfo D'Onofrio, president of River Plate, informed that Conmebol did not allow them to register youth goalkeeper Alan Diaz in the Copa Libertadores after twenty players, including all four goalkeepers, tested positive for COVID-19.

"We accept it, but we can't help but mention the state of mind we are in. We are surprised, we never thought they could make such a decision," said D'Onofrio in an interview with ESPN.

"There is an article that allows for the substitution of a goalkeeper due to a serious injury, and COVID is a serious injury. The four professional goalkeepers have contracted it, and what we are asking is to be able to replace them. I never thought they could make such a decision," he added.

The president of River stated that they are not seeking an "advantage," but rather to register a young player.

"The seriousness of the Copa Libertadores requires that we play with a goalkeeper. It is impossible without a goalkeeper. In 1909, it was the only time River played with a field player as a goalkeeper, and it was amateur football. It was more dignified that they at least allowed us to register a goalkeeper. It is a key position. We are not asking for a favor, we are saying that it is our right," he claimed.

River Plate has suffered a COVID-19 outbreak affecting 20 players, including four goalkeepers.

On Wednesday, The Millionaires will host Independiente Santa Fe for the fifth matchday of Group D in the Copa Libertadores. They currently have 10 available players, none of them goalkeepers, so they will have to rely on the injured Enzo Perez (right hamstring strain) to keep the goal.

With the midfielder in goal, River Plate's starting eleven against the Colombian team would be composed of Milton Casco, Tomás Lecanda, Jonatan Maidana, David Martínez, Fabrizio Angileri; Jorge Carrascal, Felipe Peña Biafore, José Paradela; Julián Álvarez, and Agustín Fontana.

Always. #JuntosSomosMásGrandes May 19, 2021