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SPORTS | 29-11-2018 22:35

Boca-River Libertadores final will be played – in Madrid 

Fans from both sides will be present at December 9 match, with River and Boca fans offered equal amount of tickets, confirms CONMEBOL.

The rearranged Copa Libertadores final second leg between Boca Juniors and River Plate will be played in Madrid on Sunday, December 9, South American football's governing body CONMEBOL announced tonight.

Earlier, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had said his country would be willing to host the game.

The match was called off last Saturday when visiting Boca's bus was attacked while on its way to River's stadium, and several players were injured.

Fearing more violence, organisers decided earlier this week the game should be played in another country.

"In Spain we find the necessary tranquility...Madrid is the 10th safest city in the world and it has the largest Argentine community in Europe," CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez said on Thursday. "I don't think the essence of the Libertadores will be lost because the game will be played in Spain."

Domínguez added the game would be staged at Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium at 8.30pm Spanish time, and that Boca and River fans would be allowed in.

CONMEBOL rejected a request by Boca to be declared winners, but has fined River US$400,000 and ordered the club to play the next two CONMEBOL games behind closed doors.

The first leg ended in a 2-2 draw.

- AP

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