Can Flamengo overturn the decision? CONMEBOL has just dismissed the Brazilian club’s complaint about Estudiantes’ alleged illegal use of defender Marcos Rojo in the 2026 Libertadores semis.
The ruling clears the Argentine side, preserving its berth in the championship final.
CONMEBOL’s disciplinary panel also rejected Flamengo’s request for interim measures that could have altered the sporting outcome.
Estudiantes confirmed the decision via an official statement, noting that the panel fully dismissed the protest and the sought‑after safeguards.
The dispute erupted when Rojo was cleared to feature in the second leg, despite doubts over his registration after leaving Racing Club. In my view, the rapid approval underscores lingering ambiguities in the tournament’s eligibility criteria.
Facing registration hurdles, Estudiantes turned to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which granted a provisional permit to field Rojo in the semifinal return match.
The second leg unfolded on October 22 at Rio’s Maracanã. After a penalty shoot‑out, Estudiantes advanced, sending Flamengo packing.
Flamengo lodged a formal complaint, urging that Rojo’s status be penalised and that provisional measures be applied while the case was examined.
With the disciplinary panel’s denial, CONMEBOL dismissed the appeal at this stage. However, the decision does not close every possible avenue for challenge.
The club may still lodge an appeal to CONMEBOL’s Appeals Commission within the prescribed window, starting from the notification date.
Any further action will also have to respect the TAS’s provisional authorization and the legal implications it carries.
For now, Estudiantes remains in the 2026 Libertadores final against Palmeiras on November 28 in Montevideo. Will they keep their momentum against Palmeiras in Montevideo?