Boca barred from La Bombonera

ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) - Boca Juniors was barred from using its "La Bombonera" stadium for international competition indefinitely after a linesman was struck by debris from the stands during a recent Copa
Libertadores match last week.

CONMEBOL issued the sanction Monday and informed Argentine soccer officials and Boca executives, who had no immediate response.

Nestor Benitez, a spokesman for CONMEBOL, said a $30,000 (€20,000) fine also has been levied on Boca after assistant referee Pablo Fandino apparently was hit on the forehead by ice tossed from the stands during Boca's 2-1 victory over Cruzeiro on April 30.

He said the cut was superficial and caused no serious injury.

But Fandino left the field bleeding, and referee Jorge Larrionda immediately ended the match in the 91st minute before a capacity crowd of 55,000 at La Bombonera.

Benitez said CONMEBOL is demanding assurances from Boca officials that new security conditions are taken for future matches before allowing continental competitions such as the Libertadores to return to the Buenos Aires venue.

"The club will have to undertake other work to guarantee referees and visiting teams alike that they will not suffering from any aggression," he said.

Boca next faces Cruzeiro on the road in Brazil on Wednesday.

Only if Boca advances from the second round could the team - which is unbeaten in Libertadores play at La Bombonera since 2003 - see its home advantage weakened by having to play elsewhere.

The stadium is notoriously intimidating to rival teams, echoing with the roar of its fans during matches.