This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

The Arena do Grêmio, one of the 2014 World Cup venues in Brazil, will have to close one of its stands for its next Copa Libertadores game following the fan "avalanche" in the last round of the tournament.

On 30 January, during Grêmio's 1-0 win over Liga Deportiva Universitaria, supporters celebrated Elano's goal with a celebration in which they collectively rushed to the front of the terrace (video).

The "avalanche" celebration is relatively common in South America, but on this occasion a fence was pulled down and a number of supporters fell into the ditch which separates the pitch from the stands. Several were injured.

The South American Football Confederation said on its website: "Grêmio must close the north side of the stadium where the avalanche took place in the next match. Furthermore, the stadium will be automatically closed [for one or more games] if any other similar problem takes place in the next two years."

Grêmio will also have to pay $35,000 to the confederation.

The Porto Alegre side's next Libertadores match is against Chile's Huachipato in the first round of Group Eight matches.