Argentine courts have ordered new presidential elections at soccer giant Boca Juniors, following a case brought by a candidate who says he was illegal prevented from taking part, the General Inspectorate of Justice said on Tuesday.

The General Inspectorate of Justice ruling removes Pedro Pompilio from office, on the grounds that he did not show the necessary proof showing he is in a position to run the club. Rival candidate Roberto Digon brought the case after being barred from standing on the same grounds.

Pompilio had been the club's vice president until Nov. 23 last year, when president Mauricio Macri left when he became mayor of the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital city.

Pompilio told domestic press he was disappointed that the opposition candidate had gone to the courts, and said that he would present a revised list for future elections, for which a date has not been set.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2008)