Three Romanian boxers have been given life bans after they were caught shoplifting in a plush Chicago department store during the world amateur championships.

Marius Bogdan Dinu, 21, Ronald Gavril, 21, and Gabriel Julian Stan, 20, were caught red-handed on Friday and have already been sent home, the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) said in a statement.

"This misbehaviour tarnishes the image and reputation of AIBA and the sport of boxing," AIBA president Wu Ching-kuo said.

Romania's boxing chief Rudel Obreja has already issued a public apology for the incident, the AIBA said.

The world championships are the last major international boxing event before next year's Olympics in Beijing.

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