Copa Libertadores final delayed after Boca bus attack

Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-25 08:39:59|Editor: Li Xia
Video PlayerClose

BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- The second leg of the Copa Libertadores final was postponed by more than two hours on Saturday after the Boca Juniors team bus was attacked by River Plate fans less than an hour before kickoff.

Originally scheduled to start at 5pm local time, the match between Argentina's biggest rivals was shifted to 7:15pm following emergency talks between South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) officials and representatives of both clubs.

Several Boca Juniors players required medical treatment after bottles and other projectiles smashed the glass windows of their team bus as it made its way to River's Monumental Stadium.

Others were left queasy by tear gas, which police had fired in an effort to disperse fans.

Boca had asked for the game to be suspended, claiming their players had been physically and psychologically affected by the incident.

"Our position is that the match should not go ahead. You can't play under these conditions," Boca Juniors vice president Dario Richarte told reporters.

Boca captain Pablo Perez was one of the worst affected and was taken to hospital in an ambulance after being struck in the eye with shards of broken glass.

Others that needed medical attention were Sebastian Villa, Julio Buffarini and Augustin Almendra, according to local news reports.

Boca and River drew 2-2 in the first leg at Boca's La Bombonera earlier this month.

It is the first time that Argentina's famous rivals have met in the final of South America's premier club competition.

TOP STORIES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
MOST VIEWED
EXPLORE XINHUANET
010020070750000000000000011100001376295411