LIMA — A bus carrying Argentina’s national soccer team was pelted by stones in Lima Monday on the eve of its 2014 World Cup qualifier against Peru, according to media reports.



Windows of the bus were broken but none of the players or coaching staff were hurt in the incident outside the Estadio Nacional where South American group leaders Argentina will meet Peru (0125 GMT Wednesday).



“They threw bricks at us,” Argentine Football Association official Juan Carlos Crespi was quoted as saying in sports daily Ole.



The Peruvian daily El Comercio said that after the incident police reinforced their security operation around the Argentine team’s hotel in Lima’s San Isidro district.



Tensions between the teams are high amid reports Peru plans to use a tight man-marking system to stifle Argentina captain Lionel Messi.



Argentina beat Paraguay 3-1 in Cordoba Friday while Peru climbed off the bottom of the standings with a 2-1 home victory over Venezuela.



Fulham signs Karagounis



English Premier League club Fulham signed Greece captain Giorgos Karagounis on a free transfer Tuesday.



Karagounis has joined the west London side until the end of the current campaign after being released by Panathinaikos when his contract with the Greek club expired earlier this year.



The 35-year-old midfielder, who has also played for Inter Milan and Benfica, helped Greece to its shock Euro 2004 success and skippered his country at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, where he scored the winner against Russia to put it into the quarterfinals.



He shares the record for most Greece caps with 120 appearances and Fulham manager Martin Jol said: “Giorgos Karagounis has a wealth of club and international experience and I’m happy that he’s joined us for this season.”



Karagounis added: “I’m delighted to have signed for Fulham.” — Agencies