Conmebol Ruling Looms as Independiente and Universidad de Chile Face Disciplinary Hearing
The fate of Independiente and Universidad de Chile in the 2025 South American Cup hangs in the balance as leaders from both clubs met with Conmebol officials in Paraguay this Tuesday. The hearing stems from the cancellation of their Round of 16 match due to fan incidents and subsequent club defenses presented last week.
According to ESPN journalist Nicolás Arrupt,the outcome may already be steadfast. “Week very vital for Independiente regarding the conmebol ruling,” Arrupt stated. “There will be seperate hearings for leaders from both clubs.I think there’s a draft of the ruling, but we’ll see if this discussion can change anything.”
Independiente presented a comprehensive 40-page defense last week. Arrupt outlined four potential scenarios: elimination of Independiente and qualification of Universidad de Chile; elimination for both teams; qualification of Independiente and elimination of Universidad de Chile (considered unlikely); and the possibility of completing the match on the field,despite its cancellation – a loophole based on the regulations not explicitly forbidding it.
The Tuesday meeting represents a final opportunity for both clubs to present their case to the Conmebol Disciplinary Court and potentially mitigate any sanctions. Arrupt also reported that a ruling is expected before the end of the South american Cup qualifiers, potentially even within this week, following reports from Peru suggesting a favorable outcome for Universidad de Chile.
“It is the last meeting and also the first between leaders of Independiente and U of Chile in Conmebol,” Arrupt explained.”An audience to expand and explain the discharges last week. It is indeed the last exhibition to see if they finish convincing the Court of Discipline and that the sanction is as slight as possible.”
Despite the meeting, Arrupt believes ”the decision is already cranked, beyond what happens today.”
