BUENOS AIRES — The most anticipated, most festive — and most heated — rivalry in South America was thrown into doubt on Saturday when Boca Juniors players were injured after their bus was attacked on the way to the Copa Libertadores final against River Plate.
Daniel Angelici, Boca’s team president, requested the decisive second leg be suspended, but the South American soccer body Conmebol said it would only delay kickoff for one hour.
Video showed at least three windows in Boca’s bus being smashed by objects, including one that apparently was a pepper spray grenade, upon arrival at River Plate’s Monumental stadium.
The police made arrests in the area, but it was not clear whether those were connected to the incidents.
Pictures showed the players Carlos Tevez, Pablo Pérez, Nahitan Nández, Darío Benedetto, Mauro Zárate, Ramón Ábila and Agustín Almendra among the injured.
“They threw pepper spray at us, all sorts of objects,” Benedetto, a striker, said.
Boca and River drew, 2-2, in the first leg two weeks ago.
Source : NYtimes
