SINGAPORE — Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal Club will have to play the home leg of their AFC Champions League quarterfinal behind closed doors after it was punished for crowd trouble during the 3-0 win over Iran's Persepolis in the last 16. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said Hilal fans had thrown objects at opponents before the May 26 fixture, at halftime as the players went down the tunnel, and when forward Mehdi Taremi was sent off for the Iranians. It was the second spectator conduct breach in a year for Hilal, invoking the ban for the August quarterfinal fixture, the AFC said Tuesday. The club was also fined $7,500. Hilal's Saudi rivals Al-Ahli and Al-Nasr were also punished for crowd trouble during this season's Champions League. Al-Ahli were hit with a $20,000 fine after fans threw missiles for over 10 minutes after their last 16 exit to Iranians Naft Tehran, while Al-Nasr were docked $10,000 after fans vented frustration following their final group defeat by Lekhwiya. Persepolis was fined $18,000 after fans displayed political banners in the 1-0 win over Nasr in April and shone lasers in the eyes of the Saudi players. The Tehran-based club was also fined $40,000 for displaying an “unauthorized shirt sponsor” on three occasions in this year's tournament. — Reuters
