CONMEBOL rejects appeal filed by Boca after Copa Libertadores altercations

The South American Soccer Confederation (CONMEBOL) on Thursday announced that their appeals committee dismissed the appeal filed by Boca Juniors on November 30, following decisions after the aggression against some of the team's players before the second leg final of the Copa Libertadores.

The Boca Juniors team appealed the ruling issued by the CONMEBOL Disciplinary Tribunal on November 29, which rejected Boca's request for points for the second leg of the final against River Plate, which could not be played on November 24 due to acts of violence outside the River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires, reports Efe news.

In this Thursday's announcement, CONMEBOL not only rejected Boca's appeal but also reaffirmed the decision of their Disciplinary Tribunal.

The rulings and appeals at CONMEBOL began on November 24, when violent altercations by the supporters of River Plate against the players of Boca caused the suspension of the game and its postponement, initially for 24 hours.

On November 25 also the match was not played and the two clubs were summoned to a meeting in Asuncion (Paraguay) to decide the final date.

CONMEBOL decided on November 27 that the final would be played on either December 8 or 9 and on a neutral field, a decision that did not please Boca, who then requested the suspension of the match, their proclamation as champions and the disqualification of River Plate.

Two days later, on November 29, the CONMEBOL Disciplinary Tribunal dismissed Boca's claim and ordered the match to be played.

Finally, the meeting between the two Argentine teams will be on December 9 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, in Madrid, by the decision of CONMEBOL.

--IANS

gau/bg