Boca players clash with police in tunnel after VAR controversy

Shocking footage from the Copa Libertadores has shown Boca Juniors players clashing with on-duty police in the tunnel area following their defeat to Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro.

After a goalless first leg in Argentina, the two sides again failed to score during the second 90 minutes in Belo Horizonte.

The last-16 tie thus went to penalties, and it was Mineiro who triumphed 3-1 in the shootout. Sebastian Villa, Esteban Rolon and Carlos Izquierdoz were all unable to convert their penalties for Boca.

However, Boca were already incensed at what they believed was the wrong decision in ruling out a goal scored in normal time.

Full-back Marcelo Weigandt thought he had given the Argentinian giants the lead on 63 minutes, only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal out for offside. A similar situation occurred in the first leg.

Boca players storm the tunnel post-match

Following the defeat, the enraged Boca players stormed into the tunnel in an attempt to confront the match officials in the home dressing room.

They included former Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo, who was the only Boca player to convert his penalty in the shootout.

Chaos quickly ensued as the players were met by on-duty police.

What followed were shocking scenes as the players tried to push away barriers that were positioned between themselves and the Brazilian officials, before objects were then thrown.

Eventually, the scene is broken up and the players begin to make their way back to the away changing rooms – although several can be seen screaming at the cameras before being escorted away.

https://twitter.com/Tendencia_Peron/status/1417660618904064008?s=20

However, further footage shows a group then racing towards one of the dressing rooms. An official then desperately attempts to form a shield with one of the barriers to prevent further chaos.

A large group of police then surround the entrance to the dressing room.

It remains to be seen whether Boca will face any sanctions for the incident, but they were certainly unsavoury scenes.

Featured Image Credit: Getty