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The Copa Libertadores final between historic rivals from Argentina, Boca Juniors and River Plate, was never going to be smooth sailing.
After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, the second was due to be played at 8pm GMT (5pm local time) at River’s home, Estadio Monumental.
However, in the build-up to one of the most eagerly awaited matches in recent South American football history, chaos ensued, making it all but impossible for the game to go ahead.
As reported by journalist Peter Coates, who specialises in Argentinian football and has done an excellent job in covering the buildup to the final of the Libertadores so far, the drama began as Boca’s team bus arrived at Monumental and was pelted with missiles from the River Plate supporters outside the stadium.
This caused the windows of the coach to smash, and meant that when the police attempted to control the crowds by firing tear gas and using pepper spray, which began to affect the Boca players.
It all stems from this as Boca's bus got pelted arriving at the stadium and the windows were smashed [Via @TNTSportsLA]
pic.twitter.com/QRYAMpVlks— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) November 24, 2018
Boca’s bus has been attacked on the way in. Video shows the driver’s window smashed. Police fired tear gas to clear the crowd, and it drifted inside. Players apparently affected by it. https://t.co/xnR2PzaBEL
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) November 24, 2018
The damage to the interior of the Boca coach can be seen clearly in this video:
TREMENDO | Así quedó el micro de Boca tras los incidentes. Qué locura. @marca https://t.co/6pF2eVaMYH pic.twitter.com/OPP42yGUAe
— Claro Sports Argentina (@ClaroSportsAr) November 24, 2018
Former Manchester United and Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez was amongst those worst affected, and could be seen in clear discomfort as he was escorted inside to the dressing room.
Television reports that Boca players are vomiting in the changing room following their arrival – Tevez the worst affected.
— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) November 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/lanumero12comar/status/1066420961354895361
Uncertainty then mounted as the kick-off time lurched ever closer with neither team having yet stepped out on the field to warm-up.
Boca’s players, meanwhile, were reportedly in no condition to play, with the aforementioned Tevez and several other teammates vomiting in the dressing room. Jara and Pablo Perez also suffered cuts from the broken windows.
Early reports indicated that at least three Boca players were transported to hospital.
Wanchope Ábila, Cardona, Tevez & Almendra reportedly sick while Jara & Pablo Pérez were cut – Boca arguing that they are not in condition to play. Not quite sure how this is going to play out
— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) November 24, 2018
Imagenes del vestuario de #Boca en el Monumental, con los jugadores afectados con cortes, mareos y vómitos, siendo atendidos por los médicos del club. pic.twitter.com/CkCibuGuBk
— La Número 12 (@lanumero12comar) November 24, 2018
Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, here’s some River fans strapping flares to their child so they could sneak them into the ground:
Hinchas de #River le pegan bengalas en el cuerpo a un nene para poder ingresarlas al estadio. https://t.co/6ll90xkwpv
— Real Time (@RealTimeRating) November 24, 2018
Unsurprisingly, it soon became clear that the final would not be going ahead on time on Saturday night.
The South American Football Federation CONMEBOL, meanwhile, confirmed that the game’s kick off would be delayed for an hour and is still set to take place at 18:00 local time (9pm GMT). However, it does now seem likely that the match will be suspended and take place at a later date.
CONMEBOL meanwhile confirm only that kick off is put back until 6pm. Pablo Pérez has just left for hospital – can't see how they simply delay it by an hourhttps://t.co/oAWsuXPAc4
— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) November 24, 2018
Updates:
CONMEBOL have now delayed the kick-off until 19:15 local time (22:15 GMT).
A efectos de cumplir con el cronograma de la final, el partido empezará a las 19:15 horas.
— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) November 24, 2018
Conmebol medical expert declares the injuries suffered on the Boca bus to be ‘superficial’ and finds no medical grounds on which the game should not go ahead. https://t.co/lukaPyAbzg
— Rupert Fryer (@Rupert_Fryer) November 24, 2018
Carlos Tevez believes (much like everyone else outside of CONMEBOL) are in no condition to play the final tonight.
"No estamos en condiciones de jugar el partido. Nos están obligando". Carlos Tevez.
— VarskySports (@VarskySports) November 24, 2018
