Chaos and mayhem erupted in South America when Argentinian club, Boca Juniors got eliminated by Brazil's Atletico Mineiro in the Copa Libertadores. It all began with a nullified Boca goal (their second one in two games against Atletico) after a long review of VAR, and after there were no goals in 90 minutes, the home team won after a 3:1 victory on penalties, eliminating Boca from the Copa Libertadores. After the heartbreaking defeat, reports suggest that Atletico Mineiro's president added salt to injury by provoking the Boca players from the doorway of their dressing room.
His provocations lead to an initial reaction from Boca's Raul Cascini and players were seen on video shoving each other and throwing items. Police officers later stepped in to try and intervene and diffuse the escalating violence only resulting to the use of tear gas.
Boca legend Juan Roman Riquelme defended actions from his players.“When they were in the dressing room, you see a person in a suit who pushed the boys and insults them. The policemen threw gas in the players' faces. They gas, what do you do? Do you defend yourself or do you let them hit you? You see the president throwing bottles, the police... they don't say anything to them. That's the truth” said the club's vice-president.
According to the Minas Gerais state military police, at least eight people, including five players, were identified using security footage at the Mineirao stadium. Former Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo was identified as one of five Boca Junior players accused of assault, causing bodily harm and destruction of public property. Marcos Rojo was also identified in some photos while punching a security officer and then on another while holding a fire extinguisher to defend himself.
The entire Boca Juniors delegation of players, coaches and officials was taken to a police station in Belo Horizonte to give statements.