CONMEBOL on Tuesday reversed its decision to play the Copa Libertadores final as one single match in a neutral stadium and announced it will continue with the existing format of home and away legs in the stadiums of each finalist.
CONMEBOL had on Monday officially announced planned expansion for the Copa Libertadores tournament, with two more qualifying spots awarded to Brazil and one more apiece to Argentina, Colombia and Chile to bring the South American club competition to 44 teams.
South American football's governing body said via news release that the change of heart was based upon the realization that "viability and technical studies are needed in the future to organise a world-class final match in one pre-determined site."
CONMEBOL, which had also shifted the calendar for the Copa Sudamericana, clarified on Tuesday that "no one club can qualify for both tournaments [Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana]."
The change will affect Ecuador, Paragua and Uruguay leagues, where the current qualifying standards allow the same club to earn spots in both tournaments.
CONMEBOL confirma final ida y vuelta para #CopaLibertadores 2017 https://t.co/kyfNBLVfBO pic.twitter.com/zepPo8KKSs
- CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) October 4, 2016
Marco Trovatto, president of the Paraguay club Olimpia, who won Copa Libertadores titles in 1979, 1990 and 2002, said the new competition format would be presented to the South American League of Clubs on Oct. 29.
Beginning in 2017, the two tournaments will be run more concurrently with Copa Libertadores play beginning in February and running through the end of November or to December.
The Copa Sudamericana will now run from March until the beginning of December.