River Plate refuse to play Copa Libertadores Final in Spain

CAIRO, Dec.1 (SEE)-  River Plate have refused to play the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final at the Santiago Bernabeu, saying it "distorts the competition" and "harms" the fans.

The Copa Libertadores match with Buenos Aires rival Boca Juniors was canceled after River fans attacked a bus carrying the opposition team. It was rescheduled for the following day on Nov. 25, then scrapped by the regulatory body for South American soccer.

Conmebol eventually arranged for the game to be played Dec. 9 in Madrid. The timetable is tight, partly because of this weekend’s G-20 summit in the Argentine capital and partly because the draw for the first round of the 2019 championship is due to take place later this month.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he wasn’t aware of the club’s decision. Speaking on Saturday on the sidelines of the G-20 meeting and shortly after the club’s statement came out, he said Conmebol will need to make a decision.

The two teams tied the first game of their two-match final 2-2 at Boca Juniors’ stadium.