Fearing more fan violence, organisers have decided that the postponed Copa Libertadores final between Argentine rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors should be played in another country.
The second leg of the final – the biggest game in South American club soccer – had to be called off on Saturday when the bus transporting visitors Boca Juniors was attacked en route to River Plate's stadium and at least six players were injured.
Riot police outside the stadium where the Copa Libertadores final was to be held.Credit:AP
South American soccer's governing body CONMEBOL announced on Tuesday that the game will now be played outside Argentina on December 8 or 9, although a new venue has yet to be confirmed.
The first leg finished 2-2.
The decision has yet to be validated by the soccer body's disciplinary committee, and Boca's club president Daniel Angelici said he will appeal all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport "if needed".
"We do not accept to play any match until the court decides and we do not agree that dates have been set because we are not ready to play a final," he said after the meeting at CONMEBOL's headquarters.
Miami has been touted as a possible host for the game, while Paraguay and Brazil have also offered to stage the highly anticipated derby between the Argentine rivals.
River Plate's President Rodolfo D'Onofrio said his club should not be blamed for the attack.
"We have to play this match. River is not guilty of what happened, the security system failed," he told radio La Red of Buenos Aires.
D'Onofrio also disagreed with CONMEBOL's decision to strip River of the right to host the final at the Monumental stadium.
Boca’s captain Pablo Perez sustained an eye injury in the attack.Credit:AP
"It can't be that River-Boca will not be played [there] because some people caused a disaster," he said.
The two-week delay gives time for Boca players to recover from the injuries suffered when their bus was attacked.
River fans hurled rocks, bottles and wood at the bus, shattering several windows.
Boca captain Pablo Perez was injured in one eye, while others were affected by tear gas and pepper spray used by police to disperse the River fans.
CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez said "the conditions to play in Argentina are not right".
"Football is not about violence, it is decided with goals," he said.
"Football is not what we saw on the weekend. That is a disease that needs to be eradicated."
AP
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