Monumental cleared to host Copa America final
Reuters - Wednesday 06 July 2011, 21:46
SANTA FE - The Copa America final will go
ahead at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires despite damage
caused by rioting River Plate fans following their team's recent
relegation, organisers said on Wednesday.
"It's going to be tight but we'll get there," tournament
organising committee president Jose Luis Meiszner said after an
inspection of the giant stadium by South American Football
Confederation officials.
The final, the only match of the 12-nation tournament to be
played in the capital, is scheduled for July 24 at the
62,000-capacity Monumental that doubles as the national stadium.
Workers are racing against the clock to repair the damage
after River "Barra brava" hooligan fans rioted after the team's
3-1 aggregate defeat 10 days ago in a playoff with Belgrano, who
were promoted from the Nacional B division.
"We were worried about it [but] the mere possibility of
having to think about a change (of venue) would have been
pathetic," Meiszner told reporters.
The damage includes 4,000 seats ripped out of their fixtures
in the stands, many thrown onto the pitch, along with broken
glass barriers and windows.