There was absolute chaos in the Copa Libertadore’s quarterfinals on Tuesday night when Boca Juniors players stormed the Atletico Mineiro locker room after the Argentine giants were knocked out of the competition under controversial circumstances.
Atletico advanced to the semifinals with a 3-1 victory in a penalty shootout, where neither team could break the deadlock under the two legs.
Chaos in Brazil when Boca Juniors were knocked out of the Copa Libertadores by a VAR decision and hell broke loose after the match ..
8 of their players and staff were arrested by Brazilian police.
??? pic.twitter.com/bIZFdrWrpU
– Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) July 21, 2021
But Boca was outraged at the referee who appeared on both legs and thought they had had two legitimate goals ruled out by VAR which ultimately cost them their place in the final four.
And with a sense of injustice in mind, the players decided to take matters into their own hands.
Tensions boiled in the tunnel immediately after the shooting and the films showed that Boca’s wounded stars were trying to storm the Atletico locker room, where officials believed they were protected.
Former Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo was heavily involved and was pictured with a fire extinguisher, while others threw objects in rage, including metal railings and barriers.
Boca’s reaction was so serious that the police had to intervene by using tear gas against the players to try to neutralize the situation. It is believed that eight players and employees have been arrested for the role they played in the chaos.
Policeman Santiago’s mayor spoke to TyC after the incident and stated that three players were “accused of civilian disturbance.”
“The match commissioner told us that there was aggression and that immediately activated our intervention,” said the mayor.
“There are currently three players who have been identified as attackers and accused of civilian disruption. We are currently watching surveillance video to see if there are others involved.”
? After the controversial elimination against Atlético Mineiro, Boca Juniors players threw things at officials and military personnel responded with tear gas! pic.twitter.com/9sijOOBkHt
Photos of football (@photosofootball) July 21, 2021
Boca midfielder Diego Gonzalez insisted that the referee’s performance was a trigger for his teammate’s reaction and told Brazilian broadcasters: “Without a doubt, everyone can see it.
“We scored a good goal, and the fact is that we deserved to win the first game as well. It hurts, we feel bad. CONMEBOL have to look at the referee.”
Just one night in the Copa Libertadores.
