South American Cup match suspended due to violent clashes between fans

Buenos Aires (EFE).- Violence took over the stands of the Libertadores de América Stadium, in the city of Avellaneda, following attacks with stones and sticks between fans of Universidad de Chile and Independiente that have left at least 10 seriously injured, about 90 detainees and the suspension of the Copa Sudamericana match.

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The second leg of the round of 16 match between Independiente and Universidad de Chile was suspended by Uruguayan referee Gustavo Tejera in the 48th minute when the teams were tied 1-1. Shortly thereafter, Conmebol released a statement in which it reported that "due to the lack of security guarantees on the part of the local club and local security authorities", the match "is cancelled".

The Beginning of the Attacks in the Match

The incidents began towards the end of the first half, when fans of the visiting team located in the Bochini Alta stand began to throw seats and pieces of concrete extracted from the structure towards the lower part, where fans of the 'Rojo' were.

Among the items used for the attacks were also insults, sticks, masonry, and even complete toilets. After several minutes of police inaction, it was decided that the visiting supporters would leave their stand but, with still about 30 in it, the local fans entered and a brutal brawl ensued, culminating in some Chilean fans jumping from dozens of meters high to escape. Sources from Independiente informed EFE that at least 10 people were injured and 90 were arrested, while about 300 Universidad de Chile fans were detained by the Police and are being checked.

In parallel, official sources added that three of the injured are in serious condition, while medical sources specified that one of them, a Universidad de Chile fan, was transferred in critical condition to a medical center in the area. According to Conmebol, the case will be referred to the Judicial Bodies of the institution to decide what decision to make after canceling the match of the Sudamericana, while all the information of what happened will also be sent to the Disciplinary Commission.

Boric rejects violence and blames Conmebol

For his part, the President of Chile, Gabriel Boric, condemned the violence unleashed by the barras bravas during the match in Avellaneda and called the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) "irresponsible". In a brief message broadcast through social media, the ruler revealed that the Chilean Foreign Ministry is working to ensure the safe return of both the footballers and the Chilean fans, and denounced the problem that, in general, the presence of these radical fan groups in football poses. "What happened in Avellaneda between the Independiente and Universidad de Chile fan groups is wrong in too many ways, from the violence in the stands to the obvious irresponsibility in the organization. Justice will have to determine those responsible," Boric said. "Now our priority as a Government is to know the state of our compatriots who have been attacked, ensure their immediate medical attention and that those who are detained have their guarantees respected. For this we are working with the Embassy, ​​Consulate, Foreign Ministry and Ministry of the Interior," he added. «I have instructed our ambassador in Argentina, José Antonio Viera Gallo, to personally go to both the Police Station where the U fans are being held and the Hospital where the injured are to ensure the safety of our compatriots», Boric emphasized in a second message on his official account.