Boca Juniors have been expelled from the Copa Libertadores following Thursday's night violent clashes between their supporters and players for rivals River Plate.
After asking for Boca to present evidence in their defence, CONMEBOL issued their judgment on Saturday night, removing the Argentine giants from South America's elite club competition in the round of 16.
In addition to their elimination from the tournament, Boca will also play their next four continental home games behind closed doors, have no traveling supporters at their next four continental away games, and pay a $200,000 fine.
Comunicado oficial caso Boca-River. pic.twitter.com/kPbKLFR3xs
- CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL_CSF) May 17, 2015
Thursday's second leg of the round of 16 turned to chaos at the start of the second half when Boca supporters apparently cut an opening in a tunnel put up to protect players as they entered the field and filled it with pepper spray or mace to spray at their opponents.
River players stumbled onto the field to start the second half of the scoreless match covering their faces, rubbing their eyes and dousing themselves with bottles of water.
The players then huddled together at the center of Boca's compact La Bombonera stadium, seeking refuge alongside police and officials who waited more than an hour before suspending the game.
In Twitter posts made before the sanctions were official, the Copa Libertadores announced that the second leg would be considered final at the point it was interrupted, and River would advance on the back of their 1-0 win in the first leg.
Te presentamos el cuadro de cuartos de final de la #CopaBridgestoneLibertadores 2015. pic.twitter.com/Oh3wtsQ8ug
- Copa Libertadores (@CBrLibertadores) May 17, 2015
Boca Juniors were the top-seeded team in the knockout stage after winning all six of their matches in the group stage.
As a result of the decisions, River Plate advance to the quarterfinals to play Brazilian side Cruzeiro, who defeated Sao Paulo on penalties in the round of 16.
In their sanctions, CONMEBOL also warned Boca that any repeat offences would lead to more penalties, though for the moment the club has escaped a potential penalty of being banned from future tournaments.