Inter Vice-President Javier Zanetti is “sorry for the image” of Argentinian football after the trouble ahead of the Copa Libertadores final.
River Plate were due to host Boca Juniors in the second leg on Saturday night, but the match had to be postponed after the visiting team bus was hit by tear gas and bottles.
Yesterday it was once again delayed and it’s not clear when, where or if the match will be played, with the city of Genoa offering to host it.
Inter Vice-President Javier Zanetti is “sorry for the image” of Argentinian football after the trouble ahead of the Copa Libertadores final.
River Plate were due to host Boca Juniors in the second leg on Saturday night, but the match had to be postponed after the visiting team bus was hit by tear gas and bottles.
Yesterday it was once again delayed and it’s not clear when, where or if the match will be played, with the city of Genoa offering to host it.
“I’m really sorry to see these images,” Zanetti said on Radio Anch'io Sport.
“Those teams reaching the final was a beautiful thing, but not being able to play it because of an act of violence was absurd. I’m sorry for the image we’re projecting with the eyes of the world on us.
“Once again violence wins, and instead of talking about football we’re talking about these incidents.
“I don’t think the conditions to play were there yesterday, as the Boca players weren’t mentally or physically ready.
“In my opinion it’s not a problem of support, but one that Argentinian society has carried for many years. It’s a problem in education which is reflected in the behaviour of the people.
“The whole world was waiting for this match, but unfortunately violence won.”