It was supposed to be the dream final. Boca Juniors against River Plate. The first ever Copa Libertadores superclásico final. The last ever two legged final. It was South America's showpiece. But this final has anything but a dream. A nightmare.
This rivalry is born and bred in Buenos Aires. Boca originate in the working class part of society, whilst River are associated with the richer among the city. Most great derbies originate like this. It's fair to say that no derby is like this. No derby has history like the superclásico. The darkest day came in 1968 as 71 fans were killed at El Monumental, River's home ground, which has been described as the worst day in Argentinian football history.
Once the final had been decided, excitement rose around the world. All football fans know about the Boca-River rivalry. The anticipation was huge. But what many did not know about was the current state of Argentinian football. Away fans, up until August, had been facing a five year ban concerning Argentinian league games so the decision to ban away fans to the final was wise. An indicator, perhaps.
River held the advantage from the first leg, securing a 2-2 draw at La Bombonera. The decision to deny away fans access seemed to have gone to plan. The streets were painted in red and white on Saturday as fans of Los Millionarios gathered outside awaiting for their home leg. What happened cannot be described by mere words.
As the Boca team bus approached the stadium, it was met by River fans who threw missiles smashing many windows. Police tried to nullify the situation by spraying tear gas at the River fans, but it resulted in flying into the Boca bus. In an extreme turn of events, the bus driver fainted so Boca's vice president, Horacio Paolini, steered the bus to safety preventing an inevitable crash.
Club captain Pablo Perez was taken to hospital with an eye injury but the CONMEBOL medical team released a statement claiming no Boca player was unfit to play the game. Surprisingly, Perez was named in the starting line up. Boca did not want to play. Carlos Tevez claimed his side were being "obliged" despite what had just occurred. The match was then delayed. And delayed. And delayed. Then suspended, with River fans clashing with riot police upon exiting the ground.
Then Sunday came. The atmosphere a lot more subdued than the day before. Fans waited and waited and waited to enter the stadium. When they did, only half an hour later did COMNEBOL announce a second suspension. Boca requested a game of "equal conditions" which COMNEBOL could not arrange.
We now wait and see. There will be a meeting in Asunción on Tuesday to decide where and when the second leg will be played, if at all. The Club World Cup starts on 12th December and there is a serious risk that there will be no South American team present. This was meant to be the final to end all finals, but this final may never be finished.
This rivalry is born and bred in Buenos Aires. Boca originate in the working class part of society, whilst River are associated with the richer among the city. Most great derbies originate like this. It's fair to say that no derby is like this. No derby has history like the superclásico. The darkest day came in 1968 as 71 fans were killed at El Monumental, River's home ground, which has been described as the worst day in Argentinian football history.
Once the final had been decided, excitement rose around the world. All football fans know about the Boca-River rivalry. The anticipation was huge. But what many did not know about was the current state of Argentinian football. Away fans, up until August, had been facing a five year ban concerning Argentinian league games so the decision to ban away fans to the final was wise. An indicator, perhaps.
River held the advantage from the first leg, securing a 2-2 draw at La Bombonera. The decision to deny away fans access seemed to have gone to plan. The streets were painted in red and white on Saturday as fans of Los Millionarios gathered outside awaiting for their home leg. What happened cannot be described by mere words.
As the Boca team bus approached the stadium, it was met by River fans who threw missiles smashing many windows. Police tried to nullify the situation by spraying tear gas at the River fans, but it resulted in flying into the Boca bus. In an extreme turn of events, the bus driver fainted so Boca's vice president, Horacio Paolini, steered the bus to safety preventing an inevitable crash.
Club captain Pablo Perez was taken to hospital with an eye injury but the CONMEBOL medical team released a statement claiming no Boca player was unfit to play the game. Surprisingly, Perez was named in the starting line up. Boca did not want to play. Carlos Tevez claimed his side were being "obliged" despite what had just occurred. The match was then delayed. And delayed. And delayed. Then suspended, with River fans clashing with riot police upon exiting the ground.
Then Sunday came. The atmosphere a lot more subdued than the day before. Fans waited and waited and waited to enter the stadium. When they did, only half an hour later did COMNEBOL announce a second suspension. Boca requested a game of "equal conditions" which COMNEBOL could not arrange.
We now wait and see. There will be a meeting in Asunción on Tuesday to decide where and when the second leg will be played, if at all. The Club World Cup starts on 12th December and there is a serious risk that there will be no South American team present. This was meant to be the final to end all finals, but this final may never be finished.
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