The leader of Peñarol, Evaristo González, expressed his concern about the constant violence that teams from the Río de la Plata face when confronting Brazilian clubs in international competitions. González mentioned a recent incident in Rio de Janeiro, where Botafogo fans harassed Peñarol supporters before a Copa Libertadores match.
In this context, González raised the possibility of Peñarol, together with Argentine clubs, filing a formal complaint with CONMEBOL. The Uruguayan leader emphasized the need to take concrete measures to address violence in stadiums and ensure the safety of fans and players.
Regarding the situation in Brazil, González pointed out that CONMEBOL should impose exemplary sanctions on Brazilian clubs or even prohibit them from playing in their stadiums for a determined period. This stance arises as a response to the constant violence that visiting teams face in Brazilian territory.
As a consequence of these episodes of violence, Peñarol decided that the return match of the Copa Libertadores will be played without away fans. Concerns about the safety of fans and the possibility of future reprisals motivated this decision.
González underscored the importance of ensuring the integrity of fans and players in international matches, stressing the need for sports authorities to take action to prevent serious incidents.
