BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Boca Juniors fans fired pepper spray at rival River Plate players forcing authorities to halt a Copa Libertadores game in the latest violence to hit world football.

Four River Plate players suffered burns, according to media reports.

Players were returning for the second half of the game, deadlocked at 0-0, when the shocking attack was staged by fans among the 60,000 capacity crowd in Boca's Bombonera stadium.

The South American Football Confederation said it would meet on Friday to decide whether to try to finish the game or just kick out Boca Juniors for the conduct of their fans.

River Plate won the first leg of the round of 16 game 1-0.

Their players were coming out of the tunnel from the dressing room for the second half when the irritant was sprayed at them.