Football Team Refuses to Play Second Half, Loses Title

Players in the final of South America's second most important football tournament fought while leaving the field at halftime, then one team refused to play the second half, charging that security officers attacked its players in the dressing room area.

Officials awarded the Copa Sudamericana title Wednesday night to the Brazilian team Sao Paulo after the referee waited a half hour in hopes the Argentine club Tigre would appear.

Players from the teams scuffled while leaving the field after the first half with Sao Paulo leading 2-0, but it isn't clear what happened in the dressing room area at the stadium in Sao Paulo. Tigre's coach charges that security personnel hit his players with clubs.

The Copa Sudamericana competition is considered the second most prestigious in South American soccer.