Four River Plate players hospitalized after being pepper-sprayed at game

River Plate players were pepper-sprayed by fans on the way to the field for the second half of their match against Boca Juniors.

River Plate players were pepper-sprayed by fans on the way to the field for the second half of their match against Boca Juniors on Thursday night, according toSI's Grant Wahl.

River Plate said Friday that four players were sent to the hospital with inflammation of the corneas and will remain there for at least 72 hours. 

What if they met? River Plate's La Máquina, Il Grande Torino

The match was played at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, Boca Juniors' home stadium. The start of the second half was delayed, until the match was officially suspended approximately an hour later. The two sides were scoreless in the first half.

River Plate won the first leg of the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 1–0 on Sunday. It has not yet been determined if the game will be continued at a later date.

Thursday's match was the third edition of the rivalry, known as the Superclásico​, played in a span of 12 days. 

After the incident, the jerseys of the River Plate players were reportedly collected for evidence. 

Fox Deportes announcers stating there are no police visible anywhere and the Boca Juniors-River Plate delay is "incompetence."

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) May 15, 2015

There is apparently no safe way to get the River Plate players off the pitch, since the tunnel has been compromised.

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) May 15, 2015

River Plate players were stranded in the center of the field for almost two hours before police ushered them out under their riot shields. 

- Molly Geary