RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said Sunday that Boca Juniors should be declared Copa Libertadores champions after violence at the hands of River Plate fans prompted the suspension of the final's decisive second leg.
The match between the Argentine rivals, originally slated for 5pm local time on Saturday, was first pushed back by 24 hours after an attack on Boca's team bus which left several players needing medical treatment.
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) issued a statement three hours before Sunday's planned kick-off, confirming the match at River's Monumental Stadium had again been postponed at Boca's behest.
"Boca is right not to play. If I were in their situation I would not play," Scolari said after leading Palmeiras to their 10th Brazilian Serie A title on Sunday.
Scolari called for consistency from CONMEBOL, citing a 2015 last 16 Libertadores tie between the same clubs that was abandoned at halftime after Boca fans attacked River players with pepper spray in the tunnel.
Boca were expelled from the competition while River advanced to the quarterfinals.
"There is a precedent that was set for this three years ago when River were declared the winners. The correct decision would be to declare Boca the champions," Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning coach said.
CONMEBOL officials will meet with representatives of both clubs on Tuesday to decide a new date for the second leg, confederation president Alejandro Dominguez said on Sunday.
