Boca - River suspended after apparent gas attack

The Copa Libertadores last-16 second leg was brought to a premature end after the visiting players were sprayed with a substance as they emerged for the second half.

The second leg of Boca Juniors' round-of-16 Copa Libertadores tie against arch rivals River Plate was suspended on Thursday after River players were sprayed with a substance that irritated their eyes and skin.

As the visitors returned to the field at Boca's La Bombonera for the second half, a number emerged from the makeshift inflatable tunnel - designed to defend players from fans and missiles - with tears streaming from their eyes.

Leonardo Ponzio, Leonel Vangioni, Ramiro Funes Mori and Sebastian Driussi were among those affected, with Ponzio shown repeatedly dousing his face and eyes with a water bottle.

"My whole body hurts," said Ponzio. "They threw, I'm not sure what it was, pepper spray at us. This just can't be."

River congregated in the middle of the pitch along with their coaching staff and police, while a long discussion began between the referees and representatives of both teams.
After around an hour, the match was suspended. The affected players were later treated at a hospital.

Television images appeared to show a home fan reaching into the tunnel from which the River players emerged.

"We will accept the responsibility that we have but I don't think the players are responsible," said Boca president Daniel Angelici.

"We will do all we can to help the police and we hope to find those responsible as soon as possible."

The second leg was locked at 0-0 when the match was called off, with River leading the tie 1-0 on aggregate following a victory at home last week.

Following a league match, it was the third meeting between the bitter rivals in the last 12 days.

South American football's governing body Conmebol are due to meet on Friday to discuss the outcome of the tie.