Saturday's Copa Libertadores final second leg between Argentine rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors was postponed until Sunday following a "shameful" attack on the Boca team bus that left players affected by smoke inhalation and broken glass.
Alejandro Dominguez, the president of competition organisers Conmebol told Fox television that the two teams had agreed to the postponement and the game will now take place at River's Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires at 5pm (midnight UAE) on Sunday.
"I want to congratulate both club presidents because there has been a gentleman's agreement between them," said Dominguez, head of South American football's governing body.
"In these conditions the game was distorted. One team couldn't play and the other doesn't want to play against a rival that isn't in the right conditions."
https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/copa-libertadores-final-postponed-after-shameful-attack-on-boca-juniors-bus-in-pictures-1.795534
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Conmebol originally delayed the match more than two hours when Boca players were affected by tear gas and broken glass after their team bus was pelted with "pepper spray, sticks and stones" on the way to the stadium.
"It's a very sad day, there are a few misfits at every club," said Boca president Daniel Angelici. "This should shame us as a society and I find it very sad that we have to reschedule such an important match."
His River counterpart, Rodolfo D'Onofrio added: "As an Argentine and as a football leader, I find this shameful."
Despite the bus travelling through the streets of the upmarket Nunez neighborhood towards River's ground under police guard, it came under fire from projectiles thrown by a group of the home side's fans.
After the match was postponed, there were scuffles and several arrests outside the ground as supporters clashed with police.
Boca players were left coughing and teary eyed after the attack that shattered several of their bus's windows.
"They attacked us from everywhere," said Boca captain Pablo Perez, who was taken to a local hospital for treatment before returning to the ground.
"Pablo has just returned from hospital and has a bandage on his eye," added Boca's veteran forward Carlos Tevez.
"Other teammates have cuts. We've only just been able to breathe well because we were affected by the gas. We can't play like this," said Tevez, who won the Copa Libertadores in 2003 during his first of three stints with Boca.
However, organizers later relented.
"It's not easy to take this decision when there are 60,000 people in the stadium and the [television] rights have been sold to a ton of countries," said Angelici. "But the most important thing is to look after the physical and psychological condition of the team."
D'Onofrio added: "It's the right decision and we hope to be able to play in peace tomorrow."
It is the first time two Argentine teams have contested the Copa Libertadores final, the South American equivalent of the Champions League and has been dubbed the biggest club match in the history of Argentine football.
The two sides are locked at 2-2 from the first leg two weeks ago at Boca's Bombonera stadium, which was also delayed 24 hours but due to the weather.
There will be no Boca fans at the second leg as travelling support has been banned at all Argentine football matches since 2013 due to hooliganism.
Football-related violence has cost the lives of more than 300 fans in Argentina over the past 50 years, according to figures from the Salvemos al Futbol (Let's save football) charity.ll.
River have won the Copa Libertadores three times, the last of those coming in 2015. Boca are six-time winners, a record bettered only by fellow Argentines Independiente with seven, but last lifted the trophy more than a decade ago.
more from Janine di Giovanni
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
Tips for SMEs to cope
- Adapt your business model. Make changes that are future-proof to the new normal
- Make sure you have an online presence
- Open communication with suppliers, especially if they are international. Look for local suppliers to avoid delivery delays
- Open communication with customers to see how they are coping and be flexible about extending terms, etc
Courtesy: Craig Moore, founder and CEO of Beehive, which provides term finance and working capital finance to SMEs. Only SMEs that have been trading for two years are eligible for funding from Beehive.
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
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Brief scores:
Manchester City 3
Aguero 1', 44', 61'
Arsenal 1
Koscielny 11'
Man of the match: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre V6
Power: 295hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 355Nm at 5,200rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
Price: Dh179,999-plus
On sale: now
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
