The Dark Side of the Copa Libertadores

Subtitled, Cheats, Corruption and Violence Behind the Legendary South American Football Tournament, this uncovers the sinister goings on that bubble beneath the surface of this South America's equivalent of the European Champions League.

Written by acclaimed Argentine journalist, screenwriter and author Luciano Wernicke, whose books have been published in 30 countries and translated into 18 languages, this gripping book:

• Delves into the dark side of the most important football club tournament in South America.
• Tells of nefarious goings on away from the pitch, including coercion or 'hiring' of referees, threats to rivals and other measures used to gain an unfair edge.
• Reveals the ingenious tricks, traps and ferocious threats used by sports leaders, drug traffickers and political entities to obtain a sporting result.
• Is brimming with colourful stories and amusing anecdotes: the footballer sent off twice in the same match wearing two different shirts, the priest who scored a winning goal and the brave midfielder who had a mishap in his shorts when he blocked too hard.

The Dark Side of the Copa Libertadores charts the successes and miseries, heroes and villains, laughter and tears, screams and silence that have punctuated the tournament since its inception in 1960. Published in 2025.

Size: 139mm x 215mm – 286 pages