O'Higgins push to host Boca at El Teniente despite capacity rule | OneFootball

O'Higgins are seeking CONMEBOL permission to stage their Copa Sudamericana play-off against Boca Juniors at El Teniente in Rancagua, according to LaNumer12.com.ar.

The venue holds 14,087, short of the 20,000 minimum required for this knockout phase under the confederation's rules. Rancagua lies just over 80 kilometres south of Santiago.

A capital venue would simplify travel for Argentine supporters and deliver a far larger ticket allocation for Boca's following.

Club figure Matías Ahumada said the ground meets modern international standards, bar its overall capacity. The hierarchy will request an exceptional waiver, with the submission due at CONMEBOL's Luque headquarters this week.

He added they have time on their side, around two months before the tie.

O'Higgins hosted all three group home matches in Rancagua without issue, as the earlier phase required a minimum of only 10,000.

The first leg is scheduled for La Bombonera in the week of 22 July, with Boca at home because the Chileans earned the right to host the return. The second leg will be in Chile in the week of 29 July at the stadium CONMEBOL designates after assessing the plea.

Boca dropped into the Sudamericana play-offs after finishing third in Libertadores Group D. O'Higgins were runners-up in Group C behind São Paulo.

The winners will meet Deportivo Recoleta of Paraguay in the last 16.

Source: LaNumer12.com.ar