ASUNCION, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo has been handed a one-match touchline ban for his team's late re-entry to the pitch after halftime of their Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg against Gremio last week.
The Argentine club was also fined 20,000 US dollars for the indiscretion while Gallardo was ordered to pay 1,500 US dollars, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said late on Monday.
The suspension means Gallardo will watch the second leg of the clash in Porto Alegre from the stands. The Brazilian club won the first leg 1-0 at River's Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
Gallardo's assistant, Matias Biscay, will assume River's coaching duties for the match, according local media reports.
Gremio, the defending Copa Libertadores champions, are aiming to become the first team since Boca Juniors in 2000 and 2001 to win South America's top club competition in successive years.
Argentine giants Boca will meet Brazil's Palmeiras in the other semifinal return leg in Sao Paulo on Wednesday. Boca won 2-0 in last week's first leg in Buenos Aires.
