Flamengo files protest over Marcos Rojo after Copa Libertadores elimination
Following a penalty shootout elimination in the 2026 Copa Libertadores semifinals, Flamengo filed a formal complaint with CONMEBOL challenging Estudiantes de La Plata over the deployment of defender Marcos Rojo, as reported by LANCE!. The fixture ended in a scoreless draw after regulation time at the Maracanã on October 22, 2026, before the Argentine side advanced 3–2 on penalties, with goalkeeper Fernando Muslera defending the shots taken by Jorginho, Lucas Paquetá, and Bruno Henrique.
The core dispute centers on Article 19 of the CONMEBOL Disciplinary Code, which prescribes a 3–0 defeat for teams fielding ineligible players. Flamengo argues that Rojo entered the match under provisional legal cover rather than a permanent sporting clearance, setting up a legal battle mirroring historical continental precedents.
Legal Battle and the CAS Provisional Ruling
Estudiantes sought to register Rojo after the Argentine transfer window closed on September 2, following appearances for Racing until September 27, according to reporting by UOL and CNN Brasil. On October 9, the Argentine club requested CONMEBOL to include the athlete in its squad for the semifinal in place of an injured player. According to the entity, the registration was requested outside of transfer windows because the Argentine Football Association did not have an active period. CONMEBOL rejected the registration request on October 14 and reaffirmed the denial on October 15 after consulting FIFA, leaving the defender sidelined for the first leg in La Plata, which ended in a 0–0 draw. In response, Estudiantes appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), based in Switzerland, and indicated Flamengo, its semifinal opponent, as a party in the proceeding.
NOTA OFICIAL DO FLAMENGO:O Clube de Regatas do Flamengo esclarece que não deu início a nenhum procedimento relativo à inscrição do atleta Marcos Rojo pelo Club Estudiantes de La Plata na CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026.Em 9 de outubro, o Estudiantes solicitou à CONMEBOL a inclusão… pic.twitter.com/pOpXwjDXSm
On October 21, CAS granted a provisional measure allowing Rojo to play, but explicitly declined to shield Estudiantes from future sporting or disciplinary consequences. Flamengo stated that it was brought into the CAS proceedings on October 16 and warned the Argentine club in advance that it would lodge an official protest if Rojo appeared in the lineup. Following the match, Flamengo submitted its formal complaint on Friday, October 23, 2026, under Article 24.1.b of the CONMEBOL Disciplinary Code, requesting a ruling before the scheduled final.
Historical Precedents in CONMEBOL Tournaments
CONMEBOL history features multiple instances of disciplinary rulings altering tournament results due to player registration irregularities. In 2018, the governing body overturned a scoreless draw between Santos and Independiente, awarding a 3–0 victory to the Argentine club after determining that Santos midfielder Carlos Sánchez had an active suspension stemming from 2015, as documented by LANCE!. Santos exhausted its appeals and was eliminated. Another case from the same season involved Boca Juniors forward Ramón Ábila, whose situation was questioned by eliminated round-of-16 opponent Libertad from Paraguay in a complaint presented weeks after the matches; similarly, in the case of Barcelona de Guayaquil, the punishment was upheld even after the penalized club appealed.
That same season, San Lorenzo secured a 3–0 administrative victory over Chile’s Deportes Temuco in the Copa Sul-Americana after fielding Jonathan Requena, who was improperly registered with multiple clubs in a single tournament edition. Conversely, River Plate avoided punishment in 2018 after fielding Bruno Zuculini with a pending suspension because the club had consulted CONMEBOL beforehand and received incorrect administrative clearance.
Upcoming Deadlines and Final Status
Estudiantes faces a deadline of Monday, October 26, 2026, at 18:00 Brasília time to submit its defense to the CONMEBOL Disciplinary Commission, as noted by Brasil 247. Journalist César Luis Merlo reported that an expedited ruling by CAS before the November 28 final remains unlikely without Estudiantes’ consent, according to CNN Brasil.
Until CONMEBOL issues a definitive judgment, Estudiantes remains the official finalist scheduled to face Palmeiras.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Dispute
When did Flamengo file its official complaint with CONMEBOL?
Flamengo filed its formal complaint on Friday, October 23, 2026, immediately following the semifinal second leg at the Maracanã, as reported by Brasil 247.
What deadline does Estudiantes have to respond?
Estudiantes must submit its formal defense to the CONMEBOL Disciplinary Commission by Monday, October 26, 2026, at 18:00 Brasília time, according to Brasil 247.
Who will Estudiantes face in the final if the result stands?
If the result stands, Estudiantes will face Palmeiras in the Copa Libertadores final on November 28, 2026, as reported by CNN Brasil.
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