Boca Juniors players sick and injured after bus attack
Boca Juniors asked doctors to examine their players minutes before their Copa Libertadores final against arch-rivals River Plate on Saturday after tear gas fired by police at River fans drifted into the Boca team bus. About an hour before kick-off and with the Monumental stadium filled to capacity, Boca officials told reporters some of their players were not fit to play in the decisive second leg.
- Sports
- AFP & AP
- Published Date: 12:00 | 24 November 2018
- Modified Date: 10:43 | 24 November 2018
Boca Juniors players have been injured after their bus was attacked on the way to the Copa Libertadores final against River Plate on Saturday.
TV footage shows a window in Boca's bus being smashed apparently by a tear gas grenade upon arrival at River Plate's Monumental de Nunez Stadium.
Todo Noticias news channel says six Boca players have been affected and two have already been ruled out for the second leg of the final. Striker Carlos Tevez is one of the players affected by the incident.
Boca chairman Daniel Angelici has requested the second leg be suspended, but no response has been given yet by South American soccer body CONMEBOL.
Boca and River drew 2-2 in the first leg two weeks ago.
The incident occurred three years after a Copa Libertadores last-16 tie between the same teams was abandoned at halftime after Boca fans attacked the River players with pepper spray in the tunnel.
River were given a bye into the quarter-finals and Boca were kicked out the competition.