Boca Juniors have requested that the second leg of the Copa Libertadores Final be postponed again following Saturday’s chaotic day at El Monumental.
UPDATE: Boca’s request has been granted.
Originally scheduled for Saturday, the match was delayed a few hours and eventually postponed to Sunday after River Plate fans attacked the Boca bus with tear gas, smashing windows which lead to a trip to the hospital for captain Pablo Perez.
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Glass was removed from Perez’s eye and face, and Carlos Tevez was among the players reportedly willing to forfeit rather than play on Sunday as several players took ill.
River fans now entering the Monumental. Boca about to hold a press conference stating they don't want to play the final. What happens is anyones guess.
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) November 25, 2018
Here’s how Perez described his injury, via BeINSports.com:
Yeah, we guess it could be caused by that!
Boca’s request for further postponement, presumably to a neutral venue, was made to CONMEBOL, noting the hostile atmosphere at the stadium and the potential for more fan violence.
The neutral venue seems remarkably unlikely given the first leg was played at Boca’s home, but the restoration of “equal terms” would make sense. Boca’s players simply are not as healthy as they were before the events.
FIFPro is backing Boca.
Our solidarity with Carlos Tevez and @BocaJrsOficial players who should not have been pressured by organizers to play before yesterday's Copa Libertadores final was postponed. Player health and wellbeing comes first. pic.twitter.com/8nsoDa43VI
— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) November 25, 2018
The game, tied at 2 after the first leg, is expected to kick off at 3 p.m. ET.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been on the scene for all decisions.
Still can’t believe this actually happened yesterday. https://t.co/cq1aNd5k83
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) November 25, 2018
