Copa Sudamericana final: Sao Paulo 2 Tigre 0 (match abandoned)

13 December 2012 04:13

Sao Paulo have been crowned Copa Sudamericana champions after Tigre refused to finish the final's second leg amid chaotic scenes in Brazil.

After the scoreless first leg at Tigre's home ground in Buenos Aires was marred by a first-half brawl between both sets of players that resulted in each side being reduced to 10 players, the second leg in Brazil also involved red cards and then failed to resume after half-time.

Tigre, via their official Twitter account, claimed their players were attacked by security staff in the tunnels at Sao Paulo's stadium during the half-time break.

Reports have also claimed Tigre goalkeeper Damian Albil had a gun pointed at his chest during the alleged altercation on Wednesday.

After almost half an hour of confusion and waiting for Tigre to come out of their changing room, the referee called the game off and Sao Paulo celebrated winning the Copa Sudamericana title for the first time in the club's history.

However, it remains unclear whether the Brazilian club will keep the title as Tigre are almost certain to appeal the decision.

In a tense first half, Lucas Moura gave Sao Paulo the lead in the 23rd minute when he pounced on a loose ball to score from the edge of the penalty area.

Just five minutes later and it was 2-0 when Moura slid a pass to Osvaldo who beat Albil one-on-one.

As the referee whistled for half-time at Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo in Sao Paulo, players and coaching staff from both sides came together in a furious verbal slanging match, interspersed by pushing and shoving.

Sao Paulo's Paulo Miranda and Angel Gaston Diaz of Tigre were handed straight red cards as a result of the fracas but it was after the on-pitch altercation that the visitors were apparently attacked out of sight of fans and media.