The disciplinary unit of the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) received a formal complaint from Argentine club Estudiantes following the first leg of the tie. Estudiantes requested a suspension for the Dutch forward after he directed a middle finger toward the opposing supporters during the celebration of a Corinthians goal in Argentina, according to match reports. However, procedural timelines ensure that Memphis remains eligible for the decisive return fixture.
Match Context and Disciplinary Timelines
The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw in Argentina, leaving the quarterfinal wide open ahead of the return match scheduled for next Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. Kaio César scored for the visitors early in the second half, breaking a 14-year drought for Corinthians without an away goal in the knockout stages of the Libertadores since Romarinho found the net against Boca Juniors in the 2012 final.
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According to statements released by Corinthians, the club received formal notification of the disciplinary filing and will submit its legal defense within the mandated window. Officials at the Brazilian club emphasized that any potential sanction resulting from the case cannot be applied until after a formal trial concludes, meaning no suspension can take effect before the September 17 deadline—a day after the quarterfinal concludes.
The Charges Brought by Estudiantes
Estudiantes anchored its request for a ban on specific provisions of Conmebol’s disciplinary code. The Argentine club asked that Memphis be prosecuted under Articles 14.1.b).(IV) and 14.1.b).(V), which cover unsportsmanlike conduct directed at spectators or opponents, along with gestures contrary to sporting order.
If the disciplinary panel ultimately upholds the complaint following the defense submission, the player could face a multi-match suspension or a ban covering a specific period in continental competition. Conmebol’s tribunal is reviewing match footage to determine whether the goal celebration violates regulatory standards regarding crowd provocation.
Broader Disciplinary Fallout for Corinthians
While Memphis avoids an immediate ban, his teammate Raniele is not as fortunate. The midfielder received a red card during the first leg and faces a mandatory suspension that rules him out of the return match in São Paulo. In addition to player suspensions, Conmebol levied financial penalties against the Brazilian club, fining Corinthians R$ 286,000 for incidents surrounding the fixture.
With the aggregate score level at 1-1, the winner of next week’s match in São Paulo advances directly to the tournament semifinals, while a draw after 90 minutes will immediately trigger a penalty shootout.
Fans and club officials are awaiting the final ruling from Conmebol’s disciplinary tribunal, which will review the written defenses after the conclusion of the quarterfinal round.
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