Swine flu outbreak in Argentina puts Copa Libertadores final in doubt

Swine flu outbreak puts Copa final in doubt

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentine club Estudiantes prepared Friday to host next week’s first-leg match in the final of the Copa Libertadores despite a swine flu outbreak that is blamed in the deaths of at least 44 people in the country.

Estudiantes is scheduled to face the Brazilian club Cruzeiro on Wednesday in La Plata, with the second leg of South America’s most important club championship set for July 15 in Brazil.

“There’s nothing official to keep them from playing here,” Estudiantes president Ruben Filipas said in an interview with La Red radio.

Cruzeiro reached the final on Thursday after eliminating fellow Brazilian club Gremio 5-3 on aggregate over two games. Estudiantes eliminated Uruguay club Nacional on Wednesday to advance.

Neither Cruzeiro nor the governing body of South American football — CONMEBOL — has said whether the match will be played in Argentina.

Two months ago, South American clubs Sao Paulo and Nacional declined to play Copa Libertadores matches in Mexico during an outbreak of swine flu in that country.

“We’re sorry about the situation the country is going through, but the dates are set,” Estudiantes vice president Marcelo Malaspina said. “All precautions are being taken so the game can be played in a relaxed atmosphere.”