Tigre president Sergio Massa wants action after final abandoned

13 December 2012 10:16

Tigre president Sergio Massa has described Wednesday night's abandoned Copa Sudamericana final against Sao Paulo as one of the most shameful days in Brazilian football history and urged the Argentinian Football Federation to take strong action after claims his players were the victims of violence at the Morumbi Stadium.

Sao Paolo were crowed champions after Argentinian side Tigre refused to return for the second half, claiming their players had been attacked by security officials in the dressing rooms during the interval. Chilean referee Enrique Osses abandoned the match after a 30-minute delay, awarding the victory to Sao Paulo, who had been leading 2-0 after the first leg had finished goalless.

The Tigre players said they had been attacked at half-time and had guns pointed at them, and Massa said in quotes reported on the AFA (Argentinian Football Federation) official website: "When we went into the dressing room after the first half, there were 15 security people that were hitting the players. They struck us."

He added: "We need to show the people everything that happened, the assaults and injuries.

"For Tigre today was an historic day. The referee told us he was going to suspend the game and ended up doing that. It was all a mess, football should be a celebration."

Tigre coach Nestor Gorosito said goalkeeper Damian Albil had a gun pointed at his chest, although he did not specify by who.

"During the break, a big guy came out with a gun. Some policemen started to hit some of my players. We tried to defend ourselves," Gorosito said on Fox Sports. "My players fought with the security people for 15 minutes. Then the police arrived and the incidents continued.

"What happened is disgraceful. There are several players hurt, but none serious."

Tigre security chief Ruben Pasquini said in La Nacion newspaper: "It was an ambush. They were waiting for us. (Midfielder Ruben) Botta has an injured eye. They put a gun in the chest of Albil. (Midfielder) Gaston Diaz was also hurt."

The city of Sao Paulo is one of the host venues for the 2014 World Cup, although matches will be played at Corinthians' Arena de Sao Paulo and not the Morumbi.

Source: PA