ASUNCION: Brazil’s Sao Paulo and Argentina’s Tigre have been fined $100,000 each by the South American confederation CONMEBOL for the chaotic early end to the Copa Sudamericana final in December.

Sao Paulo have also been penalised with a one-match home ban in South American club competitions, the second Brazilian side disciplined in a week for crowd trouble.

Neighbours Corinthians, the world and South American club champions, were hit last week with a three-game home match ban after a firework – thrown by one of their fans – struck and killed a teenager supporter at a Co[pa Libertadores tie in Bolivia.

The Copa Sudamerica is the continental equivalent of Europe’s UEFA Europa League and the second leg of the at the Morumbi in Sao Paulo was abandoned at half-time after Tigre protested at violent treatment from police and security officers.

Sao Paulo led 2-0 at halftime and when Tigre failed to appear for the second half the referee, Chilean Enrique Osses, suspended the match and the Brazilian side celebrated victory lifting the trophy. The first leg in Buenos Aires had ended 0-0.

Tigre accused Sao Paulo police and security officers of aiming guns at them in their dressing room after the first half had ended with a free-for-all among players, staff and fans of both clubs, who have a week to appeal the sanctions.

Sao Paulo’s consolation is having been confirmed, by CONMEBOL, as trophy winners.

 

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