Rule conflict: Estudiantes’ stadium may prevent Libertadores semifinal against Flamengo
The determination of the venue for the clash between Estudiantes and Flamengo, valid for the Libertadores semifinals, has gained an additional chapter. The Argentine club seeks to make the match viable at its home stadium, Jorge Luis Hirschi, but faces a crucial obstacle imposed by CONMEBOL. The regulations of South American football’s governing body require that the sector allocated to visiting fans accommodate up to four thousand supporters. However, Jorge Luis Hirschi, with a total capacity of 32,000 people, offers only two thousand seats for the opposing fans, which could prevent the match from being held in La Plata.
Negotiations underway
Given this scenario, Flamengo and Estudiantes have already begun informal talks this Friday (18). The goal is to find a solution that pleases both club boards and, most importantly, meets CONMEBOL‘s requirements. The good relationship between the clubs is seen as a positive factor for the progress of the negotiations. Initial information about the dialogue between the parties was disclosed by journalist Venê Casagrande.
Estudiantes President Comments
Estudiantes‘ priority is, without a doubt, to host the match at home. The club’s president, Juan Sebastián Verón, an icon of Argentine football, confirmed that the final decision on the use of the stadium depends on Flamengo‘s approval.
“We will do everything possible to play at UNO. Obviously, that will depend heavily on Flamengo. We need to study the situation and do everything we can to make it happen, and if not, we will look for another venue.”
Verón stated in an interview with ESPN Argentina.
Alternatives in case of disagreement
Should an agreement between the clubs not be reached, Argentine portal TyC Sports points to El Cilindro, in Avellaneda, and Estádio Cidade de Lanús as the main alternatives to host the decisive clash. The first leg of the 2026 Libertadores semifinal between Estudiantes and Flamengo is scheduled for the week of October 13.
M360 Team
