Police arrest woman filmed taping flares to young River Plate fan in bid to smuggle them into stadium for suspended Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors

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Police have identified and arrested a woman pictured strapping flares to a young football fan ahead of the Copa Libertadores final, which was suspended after a hooligan-led attack on the team bus of contenders Boca Juniors.

The footage of the astonishing moment a woman fan of Boca's rivals River Plate was filmed bending down to fix the flares round the child's stomach, went viral.

On Monday prosecutors in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires confirmed the woman, who wanted to smuggle the flares into River's stadium and knew security officials let minors enter without body searches, had been arrested. 

A young River Plate fan is seen in a video having flares taped to her body by an adult supporter

They revealed the long-haired youngster in a River Plate top whose life was put at risk, was the son of the unnamed adult taken into custody.

It also emerged the pair were identified through the watch the boy's mother had on her wrist.

Under Argentinian law she now faces a prison sentence of up to eight years for putting her child's life at risk, the crime she was arrested for.

Social workers have already been mobilised to probe the child's family environment and decide whether he should stay with his father.

A spokesman for the CIJ, a specialist investigative team which belongs to the Public Prosecutor's Office, said: 'Image treatment software and social media work was key in the identification of the suspect.

'A watch was spotted on the wrist of the woman strapping the flares round the child, as well as on another image on social media linked to the people that were investigated.' 

The video, which has been shared online, appears to show an attempt to smuggle flares in

The adult ensures the flares are fixed in position before they headed off into the stadium

Although the maximum jail sentence in Argentina for putting a child's life at risk is six years, the sentence can be increased by a third when the crime is committed by the youngster's parents.

The footage that led to a hunt for the brunette was filmed ahead of the second leg of the final of the Copa Libertadores, the equivalent of the Champions League final, between Argentina's eternal rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors.

The tie, due to be played on Saturday night, ended up being suspended after a shocking attack on Boca's team bus as it neared River's Monumental Stadium.

Former Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez was among those attacked with missiles and gas in the ambush.

Tevez reportedly vomited after being rushed off the bus and was filmed clutching at his throat and appearing to have difficulties breathing as he was helped to Boca's dressing room at River Plate's stadium.

Two players including Boca captain Pablo Perez were taken to hospital with cuts and eye injuries.

The match was rescheduled for Sunday evening before being called off again.

Videos showed at least ten fans thought to be involved in trouble detained in a nearby doorway

River Plate fans involved in trouble both inside and outside the stadium were detained police

A new date, thought to be December 8, is expected to be announced after a meeting on Tuesday in Paraguay between the presidents of the two football clubs and representatives from south American soccer federation CONMEBOL.

The attack on the Boca team bus, and pitched battles on the streets outside River's stadium between police and hooligans, have led to questions about Argentina's ability to ensure the safety of world leaders at the G20 Buenos Aires summit.

The summit kicks off on Friday.

Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Theresa May are among the political leaders due to jet to Argentina.

TV cameras picked up images of the aftermath, with windows visibly smashed on the coach

Mauricio Macri, a former president of Boca Juniors, is due to hold bilateral meetings with Theresa May and Donald Trump during the G20 summit.

The British prime minister and her Argentinian counterpart will talk about the Falkland Islands.

Anibal Fernandez, a former Argentinian government minister and close ally of ex-president Cristina Kirchner, described current president Mauricio Macri and the country's Security Minister Patricia Bullrich as 'idiots' after the weekend mayhem.

He said: 'They couldn't look after the Boca Juniors bus properly and they want to protect the leaders of the world's most important nations!!!

'Suspend the G20 summit you fools, you've still got time.'

Lawyer and politician Victoria Donda added: 'The Security Minister can't ensure the Boca Juniors squad reaches the Monumental stadium safely and she wants us to believe she's capable of organising the G20 summit.' 

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