The second leg of the Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and River Plate is to be played in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday 9 December.

After fears for players and fans safety South American footballing body CONMEBOL has made the decision to move the clash 6,000 miles away to Madrid, following an attack on Boca's team bus. 

​

For the first time in the competition's history, the final will be played away from the Americas in what is likely to be the biggest game in South American football history.

There were calls from Boca Juniors officials for the Blue and Gold to be awarded the Copa Libertadores without playing the second leg after a number of players suffered illness and injuries from the attacks. 

Instead, River Plate has been fined close to AU$550,000 for the violence they caused prior to the second leg and will now be forced to play two games behind closed doors. 

Both teams will be given an allocation of tickets to attend the game with Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sanchez believing Spain can deal with the hooliganism better than Argentinian forces had done.

​

Sanchez tweeted: "Spain is ready to organise the final of the Copa Libertadores between Boca Juniors and River Plate.

"The security forces have extensive experience of these situations and are already working on the necessary deployments to ensure the event is secure."

The first leg finished 2-2 in Boca's La Bombonera meaning the tie is far from decided.