Scheduled to take place 24-hours after the second-leg of their Copa Libertadores final had to be postponed, doubt has been cast over whether River vs Boca Juniors will go ahead tonight as planned.
Subject to an attack from the River Plate fans upon arriving at Estadio Monumental yesterday evening, several Boca Juniors suffered the ill-effects of a tear-gas attack that left Pablo Pérez requiring hospital treatment.
After numerous attempts by the authorities in question to continue the second-leg as planned yesterday night, it was eventually decided that the game could not take place, and would instead go ahead tonight - 8:00pm Irish time.
However, in an official statement released by the club this afternoon, Boca Juniors have requested "the suspension of the match."
"Club Atlético Boca Juniors made a formal presentation to Conmebol on Sunday to request that the final of the Copa Libertadores be played in conditions of equality, as agreed by the presidents of the South American entity, Boca and River, in the minutes who signed on Saturday at the Monumental," the statement read.
"In the afternoon of yesterday, Boca Juniors requested to postpone the match due to the incidents and it was established as a priority that it could be played under equal conditions.
"After the acts of violence suffered in the vicinity of the stadium, having noted the magnitude and seriousness of them and the consequences they have generated in the establishment, Boca considers that these conditions are not met and requests the suspension of the match, as well as the application of the corresponding sanctions provided for in Article 18, so that Conmebol acts accordingly."
Given the rapid nature in which plans were scheduled and rescheduled last night, one cannot be sure how much credence will be afforded to the statement from Boca Juniors.
After last night's attack, but before it was decided that the game would not go ahead, Boca's Carlos Tevez spoke of the team being "obliged" to play, with his teammates Fernando Gago insisting that FIFA and Conmebol were urging the game to go ahead despite the injuries sustained by a portion of the Boca players.
As yet, it remains unclear whether River vs Boca will go ahead tonight as planned, or whether heed will be paid to Boca's request for "equality."
Captured on film earlier today, Perez, still carrying the marks of last night's attack, agreed that he would be able to play if needs be.
The moment Pablo Pérez nods in response to Boca supporters asking if he is ready to play. Not the most convincing reply but hey it's something [via @ESPNFutbolClub]
pic.twitter.com/qq17yxH1dq— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) November 25, 2018
