Mexican soccer player banned for swine flu 'joke'
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Chivas Guadalajara defender Héctor Reynoso has been suspended from all Copa Libertadores matches for spitting at an Everton de Chile player then telling him he had swine flu.
The South American Football Confederation (CSF) said the length of the ban would be determined in the next 72 hours.
"Reynoso, following an incident in the game, reacted by spitting at Everton player Sebastian Penco and then releasing nasal secretions at the face of the player," said the CSF in a statement.
"This situation, lamentable in its own right, was aggravated by the risk of a possible infection of the disease AH1N1 (swine flu)."
Reynoso coughed several times in the face of Everton player Sebastian Penco during the sides' 1-1 draw last week.
He later apologised for the incident, but said he expected to be punished for his behavior.
Guadalajara players had complained that they were being taunted throughout the game by their Everton counterparts about carrying the disease, and also that they had been publicly mocked by shoppers when they attended a shopping centre in Viña del Mar.
The CSF has postponed this week's second-round first-leg ties involving Guadalajara and fellow Mexicans San Luis after both Chile and Colombia refused to act as alternative venues for their home games. Visiting clubs do not want to play in Mexico.
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The South American Football Confederation (CSF) said the length of the ban would be determined in the next 72 hours.
"Reynoso, following an incident in the game, reacted by spitting at Everton player Sebastian Penco and then releasing nasal secretions at the face of the player," said the CSF in a statement.
"This situation, lamentable in its own right, was aggravated by the risk of a possible infection of the disease AH1N1 (swine flu)."
Reynoso coughed several times in the face of Everton player Sebastian Penco during the sides' 1-1 draw last week.
He later apologised for the incident, but said he expected to be punished for his behavior.
Guadalajara players had complained that they were being taunted throughout the game by their Everton counterparts about carrying the disease, and also that they had been publicly mocked by shoppers when they attended a shopping centre in Viña del Mar.
The CSF has postponed this week's second-round first-leg ties involving Guadalajara and fellow Mexicans San Luis after both Chile and Colombia refused to act as alternative venues for their home games. Visiting clubs do not want to play in Mexico.
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