BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Argentina will introduce harsher penalties for football hooligans after the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and River Plate was suspended because of fan violence, President Mauricio Macri said on Monday.
In a televised address, Macri urged lawmakers to pass a bill that would crack down on the so-called Barras Bravas that have cast a long shadow over Argentine football.
"We reject the mafias that are often behind this type of violence," Macri said. "I hope that after this embarrassment, we can get a law passed in extra sessions of congress."
The River-Boca title decider was originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon but was pushed back by 24 hours after an attack on Boca's bus left several players needing medical treatment.
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) issued a statement shortly before Sunday's planned kick-off, confirming the match at River's Monumental Stadium had again been postponed at Boca's behest.
The Barras Bravas - the equivalent of ultras in European football - have been a blight on Argentina football for decades. In 2013, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) banned away fans from attending matches in all divisions after a spate of deaths related to fan violence.
Macri expressed bewilderment at the fact the perpetrators of Saturday's incident were released by police.
"The people are free. I don't understand. I don't understand in the name of all Argentines," he said. "I don't understand the reaction of the justice system."
Boca and River drew 2-2 in the first leg of the final at Boca's Bombonera stadium earlier this month.
CONMEBOL officials are due to meet with representatives of both clubs on Tuesday to decide a new date for the return leg.
This is the first time that Argentina's two biggest clubs have met in the final of South America's top club competition.
