CONMEBOL finally made their decision yesterday regarding the outcome of Boca Juniors and River Plate’s abandoned Copa Libertadores last 16 and the punishment dealt to the home side. As expected River Plate were awarded the victory and so progress to the Quarter Finals but the tough sanctions on Boca that many saw fit did not appear. La Bombonera will be closed to supporters for four matches and they will also be unable to travel away for four matches but crucially Boca will still be able to compete in the 2016 Libertadores. President Daniel Angelici may also feel aggrieved at the fine of $200,000, a substantial amount in South American football, but in truth the ruling could have been far harsher.

Following the pepper-spray/acid concoction attack on the River players as they entered the field for the second half, officials had little choice but to call off the match. Four River players were left with an inflammation to their corneas and were also suffering from burns and would have been unable to continue despite the Boca’s players and staff’s pretestations.

With the world watching, what is perhaps the marquee match in South America, most neutrals would have seen a far stricter ruling imposed on Boca. Prior to the announcement from CONMEBOL there had been talk of Boca being expelled from continental competition for two years. Many voices were heard from high in FIFA to Buenos Aires mayor and presidential candidate, Mauricio Macri, all with conflicting views on how to deal with the incident.

Ultimately CONMEBOL’s ruling is a lenient one. Their own set of rules dictates that if a club’s supporters cause a match to be abandoned then the opponents are granted the victory and so there can be little justification in arguing that River should not pass to the quarter finals. The supporters ban also seem entirely justified in the circumstances and if Boca were drawn in a group anything like the one they had in this year’s competition they should have no problems progressing.

Boca are still expected to appeal this ruling and everything other than their expulsion from this year’s competition is open to change. The appeal cannot see this extended so it will either remain as it is or Boca will successfully have either the fine or the supporters ban reduced. Considering the severity of the incident it is remarkable that Boca may escape with less than what has already been a very kind punishment from CONMEBOL.

River Plate meanwhile will face Brazilian side Cruzeiro in the quarter finals and the four players are most affected by the attack are now fit again after receiving treatment in hospital.