Copa Libertadores 2020

The Copa Libertadores 2020, suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, should resume this year even if matches have to be played without spectators, said Alejandro Dominguez, the president of Conmebol.

Dominguez stated in an interview with Reuters that suspending the club tournament that brings together the best teams in South America permanently is "tremendously distant." The tournament was interrupted during the group stage when governments in the region began taking measures to prevent the virus from spreading.

"The Libertadores could restart as long as local championships do so, although transportation capacity is also important as most countries have closed their borders," said the leader.

Permanently suspending it "has not been considered and is something that I see as tremendously distant. I am optimistic," he added.

Conmebol is considering asking FIFA to postpone the start of the Club World Cup scheduled for December 2020 in Qatar to be able to extend the Libertadores calendar.

The South American qualifying tournament for the next World Cup, whose start was also postponed due to the coronavirus crisis, would begin in September and could extend until April 2022 if authorized by the world football governing body, stated Dominguez.

The leader, who led a Conmebol Congress via video conference on Thursday, said that the losses from the suspension of football activities until now are minimal.

"We have been fulfilling all obligations and we plan to continue doing so. All our sponsors remain committed to this project," he said, adding that almost 90% of the clubs participating in the Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana have accepted a proposal from Conmebol to advance them a payment for participation to have financial relief.

Dominguez also said he could not imagine what football would be like post-pandemic.

"It is a bit difficult for me to analyze because we are still very shocked. I believe things will return to normal, although it will take time. Of course, I want to see the stadiums full, but if playing without spectators is the way to reactivate football, then we will play like that," he said. (D)