South American soccer officials say Copa final will go ahead despite swine flu outbreak

CONMEBOL says Copa final on despite swine flu

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Next week’s first-leg match in the finals of the Copa Libertadores will go ahead in Argentina despite a swine flu outbreak that is blamed in the deaths of at least 44 people in the country.

CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American soccer, said on Friday the match between Argentine club Estudiantes and Brazilian club Cruzeiro would be played in La Plata on Wednesday.

It said the second-leg game would be played as scheduled on July 15 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, to determine the winner of Latin America’s most important club competition.

Cruzeiro said in a statement that it intended to play the match unless Argentine health officials stepped in to stop it.

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.

Two months ago, South American clubs Sao Paulo of Brazil 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.”