Boca Juniors kicked out of Copa Libertadores
Xinhua, May 17, 2015 Adjust font size:
Boca Juniors have been expelled from the Copa Libertadores after their fans attacked River Plate players with an irritant spray.
The Buenos Aires outfit were also fined 200,000 US dollars, ordered to play their next four continental home games behind closed doors and banned from having fans at their next four away matches.
South American football governing body Conmebol made the decision late Saturday after giving Boca the chance to present their defence.
The incident occurred during the Copa Libertadores round of 16 second leg between the Argentine rivals at the Bombonera stadium on Thursday.
The match was called off at halftime with the scores at 0-0. River won the first leg 1-0 and needed only a draw to progress to the quarterfinals of South America's top club competition.
Four River Plate players were taken to hospital for treatment after suffering an inflamed cornea.
Conmebol's decision means River Plate will now play Cruzeiro for a place in the semifinals.
Boca had been favorites to win the competition for a seventh time after ending the group phase undefeated. Endi