Conmebol has imposed a severe fine on Flamengo and coach Leonardo Jardim following a delay in the restart of their Libertadores match against Independiente del Valle.
Flamengo‘s routine behind the scenes at Conmebol continues to be eventful, though not for their results on the field. The club from Gávea was notified by the governing body of South American football due to the delay in the teams’ return for the second half of the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals against Independiente del Valle in Ecuador.
The financial damage for the Rubro-Negro is significant. The sanctions imposed on the club and coach Leonardo Jardim total $100,000, which at the current exchange rate is around R$510,000. The amount will be withheld directly from the broadcast rights and sponsorship fees the team is due to receive.
Details of the Punishment and Warnings
According to the official document issued by Conmebol, the fine is split, with $60,000 going to Flamengo‘s coffers and $40,000 designated exclusively for coach Leonardo Jardim. In addition to the financial penalty, the Rio de Janeiro club also received a formal warning.
The reason involves failures to comply with mixed zone regulations and mandatory post-match interviews. According to the club’s defense, logistical challenges encountered at the Estádio Olímpico Atahualpa made post-game protocol organization difficult, but the entity proceeded with the disciplinary punishment.
Appeal and History of Sanctions
The Rubro-Negro’s management is still evaluating the next steps and is considering the possibility of appealing the decision to sports tribunals. However, this episode is not new in Flamengo‘s recent history in the continental tournament.
The recurrence of delays and disrespect for media protocols has been a constant point of attention in Conmebol’s discussions involving the Brazilian club, creating a history that ultimately weighs on the severity of current sentences
Full Focus on the Semifinal
Putting administrative issues aside, Flamengo‘s squad is turning its attention to the decisive challenge for a spot in the Libertadores grand final. Their semifinal opponent will be the traditional Estudiantes, from Argentina.
The first leg of this confrontation takes place on October 15th, on Argentinian soil. The decider for a place in the final will be on October 22nd, with the support of the fans at the Maracanã. Until then, the coaching staff aims to shield the group to avoid further off-field issues that could affect the club’s financial and sporting planning in this final stretch of the season.
