River Plate sweat over final decision on Boca tie

The most anticipated Copa Libertadores final in years might not be decided on the pitch.

The disciplinary committee of South American governing body CONMEBOL will today decide whether to disqualify River Plate, force the second leg with fierce rivals Boca Juniors to be played behind closed doors, or transfer it to a neutral stadium.

River fans attacked the Boca team bus near River’s stadium on Saturday, pelting it with rocks, bottles and wood, and shattering windows. Several players were injured, and had trouble breathing because of tear gas and pepper spray used by police to quell the fan violence.

CONMEBOL postponed the second leg of the final (the first leg finished 2-2) from Saturday to Sunday, then postponed it on Sunday indefinitely when it was obvious the Boca team was in no fit state to play what Argentines have been hyping as “the final of the century”.

The fate of the South American club title now rests with administrators.