CONMEBOL Orders Grêmio To Close North Stand, Pay $35,000 After Incident

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has made the decision that Brasileiro club Grêmio will need to close the north stand of its stadium for its Copa Libertadores match against Chilean side Huachipato, according to GLOBO ESPORTE. The decision was made after the incident that took place in the first phase of the Libertadores. After Grêmio scored to take a 1-0 lead against Ecuadorian side Liga de Quito, seven fans were hurt during the "avalanche celebration" when a fence collapsed and people fell into a ditch. CONMEBOL also fined the club $35,000 and threatened to "close the stadium" if another incident occurs within two years." The north stand is the only area "without seats" in the new Grêmio Arena. Grêmio President Fábio Koff "has already said" he wants seats to be inserted in this section to stop the "avalanche celebration" (GLOBO ESPORTE, 2/12).