In this Nov 23, 2019 photo, Flamengo's Gabriel Barbosa kisses the trophy after winning the Copa Libertadores final football match by defeating Argentina's River Plate, at the Monumental stadium in Lima. (LUKA GONZALES / AFP)

The Copa Libertadores, South America’s equivalent of the Champions League, is to restart on Sept 15 after a six-month hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Monday.

The Copa Libertadores final is scheduled for January at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium

Four group ties will take place on Sept 15, followed by five a day later and another seven on Sept 17.

The last Libertadores games were played on March 12 before the tournament was suspended.

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There are 32 teams still remaining in the tournament, divided up into eight groups of four. So far each team has played two group matches.

The final is scheduled for January at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium.