Alianza Lima President Criticizes CONMEBOL Decision Following Copa Sudamericana Elimination
Lima, peru – September 5, 2024 – Alianza Lima president Guillermo Salas sharply criticized a CONMEBOL decision he believes unfairly benefited Defensa y Justicia, contributing to his team’s elimination from the 2024 Copa Sudamericana. The controversy centers around the submission of tournament regulations regarding suspended players during the second leg of the quarterfinal tie.
Alianza Lima was eliminated on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw with Defensa y Justicia. Salas alleges that CONMEBOL incorrectly allowed Defensa y Justicia to field a player who should have been suspended for the match, altering the competitive balance and ultimately impacting the outcome.He stated, “It’s a shame that a tournament as vital as the Copa Sudamericana is decided by errors like this. We feel deeply aggrieved by the decision.”
The dispute revolves around the eligibility of Defensa y Justicia midfielder, Julián López. López accumulated enough yellow cards during the group stage to trigger an automatic suspension for the second leg. However, CONMEBOL reportedly determined that a card issued during a previous tournament phase did not count towards the suspension, allowing López to play. Salas argues this interpretation is a misapplication of the rules.”we presented our arguments to CONMEBOL, providing clear evidence of the player’s suspension,” Salas explained. “Their response was not satisfactory, and we believe it demonstrates a lack of fairness. This isn’t just about Alianza Lima; it’s about the integrity of the competition.”
Alianza Lima is currently considering its options, which may include lodging a formal appeal with CONMEBOL. The club’s supporters have expressed outrage on social media, calling for a review of the decision-making process. The incident raises questions about the consistency and transparency of CONMEBOL’s disciplinary procedures.
