Boca's Libertadores opener v Universidad Católica, no away fans? | OneFootball

Boca’s Copa Libertadores debut against Universidad Católica is going through hours of uncertainty. Due to the “risks” that the arrival of Argentine fans would entail, authorities are seriously considering banning away supporters from entering Chile for this match.

Germán Codina, presidential delegate of the Metropolitan Region, confirmed that the match could officially be declared “high risk.” This request was pushed by the local government in order to prevent fans of the La Ribera club from attending Claro Arena.

However, Codina clarified that the final decision is still under thorough institutional review. The Ministry of Sports will take an active part in this process, seeking to ensure that the match is held strictly within the logical parameters of a sporting event.

“The absolute priority of state agencies is to guarantee the complete safety of the urban environment. The aim is to avoid any kind of incident that could endanger residents, public infrastructure, or the physical integrity of those attending the stadium that day,” they explained.

Boca will visit Universidad Católica in Chile.

For her part, Las Condes mayor Catalina San Martín expressed concern about the neighborhood’s peace and quiet. The presence of medical centers with patients in delicate condition and the potential traffic chaos on nearby streets are the main reasons behind her position. It is worth noting that the stadium is a new venue, which will host its first match with the continent’s top competition.

The conflict also has a regulatory background related to the allocation reserved specifically for away supporters. While CONMEBOL requires a minimum of 2,000 tickets for the visiting fans, it has emerged that the Chilean leadership would only be willing to provide around 450 seats in total.

Failure to comply with this international regulation could lead to heavy financial sanctions for Universidad Católica. The rules establish fines starting at $20,000, which could rise substantially.

From the “Cruzada” institution, they chose to remain cautious and avoid making definitive statements on the matter. They assure that decisions will be made in coordination with the South American Confederation and Chilean security agencies, always prioritizing compliance with current legal protocols.

If there are no away fans in Chile, there won’t be any in Argentina either

As a direct precedent, people recall what happened in the 2024 edition between Colo Colo and River. On that occasion, the authorities decided to do without away supporters for security reasons, an exceptional measure that was accepted without resistance by both clubs. The violence seen in the 2025 Sudamericana match between Independiente and Universidad de Chile works against the possibility of Chilean fans being allowed in Argentina and vice versa.

CONMEBOL states that home clubs must have a designated section in their stadiums for the visiting team’s supporters. Just as the rules require a minimum of 2,000 seats, reciprocity also applies.

So, if Universidad Católica and the local authorities decide they cannot host away fans, Xeneize will do the same, and there will be no away supporters in the match to be played at La Bombonera. It is worth remembering that the game between the two teams in Argentina will be the final matchday of the group stage and will be played on May 28.

Aside from the crowd, Boca has everything set for the visit to Católica

While awaiting confirmation of Xeneize fans being allowed into Claro Arena, the South American Football Confederation finalized the rest of the details for the match on the opening matchday of the 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage.

Boca has everything ready for its 2026 Copa Libertadores debut.

The match between Universidad Católica and Boca will be played on Tuesday, April 7, starting at 9:30 PM. The game will be refereed by Uruguayan Gustavo Tejera, with Christian Ferreyra assisting on VAR. It was also confirmed that Telefe will broadcast this match, as will Fox Sports.

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.