Copa Libertadores 2018 final delayed by over two hours after Boca bus attacked by River fans
The Superclásico has been delayed by over two hours after an attack on the Boca team bus
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Your support makes all the difference.The second leg of the Copa Libertadores final between River Plate and Boca Juniors has been delayed by over two hours after River fans attacked the Boca bus as it arrived at their stadium.
River supporters hurled glass bottles and missiles at the bus as it made its way to the El Monumental stadium ahead of Saturday night's second leg, which had been due to kick-off at 8pm GMT.
Several windows were smashed with numerous Boca players suffering cuts from broken glass. Reports from local news outlets also claimed that some players were taken ill due to the effects of tear gas, used by police to help disperse the crowds.
Footage from inside the Boca dressing room subsequently showed a number of players appearing groggy and disorientated. Former Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez was pictured arriving at the stadium in a clearly distressed state.
Two Boca players, Pablo Perez and Gonzalo Lamardo, were sent to a local hospital as a result of their injuries.
Boca president Daniel Angelici immediately met with River counterpart Rodolfo D'Onofrio, as well as CONMEBOL chief Alejandro Dominguez, to discuss whether or the game could be played in such conditions.
CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, then announced in a tweet that the final would be postponed by an hour to 18.00 local time (21.00GMT) as a result of the violence. However, this was later revised to 19.15 local time (22.15GMT).
The final is finely poised at 2-2 after the first leg two weeks ago.
More follows.
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