Boca Juniors thrown out of Copa Libertadores following fan attacks
Sunday 17 May 2015 08:23, UK
Boca Juniors have been kicked out of the Copa Libertadores following attacks by their fans on River Plate players in which they used a 'caustic substance'.
The second leg of Argentina's 'superclasico' last-16 tie, in which River Plate were 1-0 up, was abandoned in the second half after visiting River Plate players began to suffer the effects of apparent tear gas or pepper spray.
They will also have to play their next four home matches behind closed doors and they will not be able to sell fans tickets for their next four away games, and must pay a fine of $200,000.
CONMEBOL, the governing body of the South American football federation, met on Saturday to discuss punishment for hosts Boca after their secretary general, Luis Meiszner, said they should be severely penalised.
He said: "We have to meet the requirements of FIFA. There will be severity in the penalties."
The ruling means River Plate advance to the quarter-finals of the competition with a bye.
River's players were returning to the field at the end of half-time, after a goalless first half, when they were attacked by home supporters and began rubbing their eyes, holding their shirts over their faces and dousing themselves with water.
Many of the away players were affected but midfielders Leonardo Ponzio and Matias Kranevitter were among the most distressed.
