CONMEBOL, the governing body for South American football, has made a plea for calm and unity following an altercation between fans of Boca Juniors and Fluminense at Copacabana beach prior to the Copa Libertadores final. The incident took place on Thursday and saw supporters from both teams involved in a physical confrontation near the fan zone in Rio de Janeiro. The police had to intervene, resorting to using tear gas and rubber bullets, which led to the arrest of three individuals. CONMEBOL strongly criticized the violence and racism demonstrated during the clash, emphasizing that football should be a source of inspiration for peaceful behavior. In light of the situation, the Argentine consulate has issued warnings to Boca Juniors’ traveling fans, stressing the serious consequences of engaging in racist or xenophobic actions. Meanwhile, the town hall of Rio de Janeiro has launched a special operation in order to effectively manage the large influx of supporters. Boca Juniors, who have previously won the prestigious Copa Libertadores title six times since 2007, will go head-to-head against Fluminense in the eagerly awaited final showdown.