Flamengo seeks Conmebol precedent to challenge Estudiantes semifinal result

Flamengo filed a formal complaint with Conmebol over Estudiantes defender Marcos Rojo's participation in the Libertadores semifinal second leg, arguing he was fielded despite his registration being rejected. The Brazilian club said Estudiantes requested Rojo's inclusion on October 9 as a replacement for an injured player, but Argentina's registration period had closed on September 2 and Rojo had played official matches for Racing until September 27.

Conmebol consulted FIFA and rejected the substitution on October 14, maintaining the refusal on October 15 before the second leg. Flamengo stressed it did not take part in either stage of the process.

“The risks of that choice remained with the Argentine club and the player.”

Estudiantes appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and named Flamengo as a party. On October 21, CAS provisionally authorized Rojo to play but rejected Estudiantes' request to set aside potential sporting and disciplinary consequences.

Flamengo was eliminated this week at Maracanã after two 0-0 draws and a 3-2 penalty shootout loss. Estudiantes advanced to the final against Palmeiras.

Flamengo is relying on a 2018 Conmebol precedent involving Santos and Carlos Sánchez. Santos drew 0-0 away to Independiente, but Independiente protested Sánchez's alleged irregular registration. Conmebol punished Santos by deducting the point, turning the draw into a 3-0 loss. Santos then drew 0-0 at home and was eliminated.

In 2015, while at River Plate, Sánchez received a three-match ban and a $3,000 fine for assaulting a ball boy in a Copa Sudamericana semifinal against Huracán. Under Conmebol's Disciplinary Regulations, the ban had to be served in the next tournament organized by the body in which Sánchez participated, regardless of club changes.

Flamengo also drew 0-0 in both legs against Estudiantes and lost the penalty shootout 3-2. The club hopes the Santos precedent supports its attempt to change the semifinal classification through the courts.