The River Plate players could not complete the eighth finals of the Copa Libertadores against Boca Juniors.
The reason was that they were sprayed with pepper spray in the face of Boca fans.
Four players were taken to hospital.
– My whole body hurts, said River Plate Leonardo Ponzio.
The Gift of the Tevez – Bocas new giant banner
It was organized for the derby party when Boca Juniors took the River Plate in the eighth finals of the Copa Libertadores. But the meeting between the two archrivals ended in scandal scenes and got the break at halftime by the score 0-0.
The reason was that the River Plate players were attacked by Boca fans when they were on their way out of the play tunnel for the second half .
“reprehensible and disgraceful”
According to Reuters shall Boca fans have sprayed pepper spray in the face of the visiting players. Television footage shows how the players, well out on the pitch rubbed his eyes and poured water on their faces to try to remove the effects of the spray.
Reuters report that four River players were taken to hospital after match interrupted. This after riot police had to escort the guests under a huge umbrella of riot shields.
– This is reprehensible and shameful, says River Plate’s coach Marcelo Gallardo, whose team is 1-0 from the home meeting against Boca.
“Will accept responsibility”
The Boca Juniors president Daniel Angelici states that he talked to his colleague in the River Plate and apologized for the incident, but says that his team should not be penalized because how the fans behaved.
– We will accept the responsibility that we have, but I do not think our players are guilty. We will do everything to help the police to investigate the incident. This is a social problem, not a football problem. These people are sick, says Angelici according to Reuters.
The South American football federation, Conmebol, will meet on Friday to determine the end of the eighth finals.
The Gift of the Tevez – Bocas new giant banner
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