The final of the Copa Sudamericana ended in scandalous fashion as referee Enrique Osses awarded the game to Sao Paulo after their opponents Tigre refused to play the second half amid claims that players were assaulted at halftime and threatened with guns.
The Brazilian side was ahead 2-0 when the game called after goals from Lucas in the 23rd minute and Osvaldo in the 27th. But the trouble started with the whistle for the end of the half.
A brawl started among players on the field that was eventually controlled by police. Although everything seemed to have settled down, more trouble apparently waited in the locker rooms.
Tigre coach Néstor Gorosito came out of the locker room and claimed that police and Brazilian security personnel for Sao Paulo attacked his players physically and threatened them with guns. Osses confirmed that he saw Tigres players injured in an interview with Fox Sports.
After waiting for close to half an hour for the Argentine squad to return to the pitch, the referee called the game in favor of Sao Paulo.
Amid the celebrations of the Brazilian, Tigres players showed bruises and injuries to television cameras explaining their decision not to play the second half.
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Fans of Brazil's Sao Paulo invade the field to celebrate after the team won their Copa Sudamericana final soccer match against Argentina's Tigre in Sao Paulo December 12, 2012. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
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Brazil's Sao Paulo goalie Rogerio Ceni (R) gestures near the match referees as they wait for Argentina's Tigre players who refused to return to the field after halftime, during their Copa Sudamericana second leg final soccer match in Sao Paulo December 12, 2012. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
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A brawl at the end of the half led to more violence in the locker rooms and Tigre players refused to play the second half. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
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Fans of Brazil's Sao Paulo hold up letters to form the message, "Thank you Lucas." REUTERS/Nacho Doce
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A referee enters the locker room tunnel to talk to players from Argentina's Tigre after they refused to return to the field after halftime. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
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Brazilian police guard the entrance to the locker rooms as players from Argentina's Tigre refused to return to the field. The second half was delayed and eventually called off. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker
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Head coach of Argentina's Tigres Nestor Gorosito (C) speaks to the media at the end of the first half of their Copa Sudamericana second leg final soccer match against Brazil's Sao Paulo, in Sao Paulo December 12, 2012. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker
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Players of Brazil's Sao Paulo (in white) argue with players of Argentina's Tigre at the end of the first half. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker
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Lucas (2nd L) of Brazil's Sao Paulo argues with Diego Ferreira (L) and Lucas Orban of Argentina's Tigre. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker
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Willian Jose (L) of Brazil's Sao Paulo battles Norberto Paparatto of Argentina's Tigre. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker (
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Lucas (2nd R) of Brazil's Sao Paulo celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker
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Wellington (L) of Brazil's Sao Paulo falls over Ramiro Leone of Argentina's Tigre. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker
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Fans of Brazil's Sao Paulo cheer before their team plays Argentina's Tigre . REUTERS/Nacho Doce
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Fans of Argentina's Tigre cheer before their team plays Brazil's Sao Paulo. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
Photo: REUTERS
