SAO PAULO, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Defending Copa Libertadores champion Corinthians will be lifted from the 60-day sanction of playing matches behind closed door, the club said Thursday.

Corinthians was not allowed to play in front of its fans at home matches after the South American football confederation imposed the punishment to the Brazilian club after the death of a 14-year-old Bolivian boy in a Copa Libertadores match against San Jose.

Corinthians said the confederation decided it will keep the club's supporters from attending away matches for the next 18 months, but dismissed the 60-day suspension for home matches. The club was fined 200,000 US dollars.

Corinthians had to play against Millonarios of Colombia in an empty stadium late last month.

Kevin Beltran Espada was killed after being hit by a flare allegedly set off by someone in the Corinthians fan section in the match.