Three people were seriously injured and at least 90 were detained after a pitched battle between fans of Independiente de Avellaneda and Universidad de Chile on Wednesday night during the second leg match of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16. Supporters of both teams were involved in brutal scenes in the stands of the Estadio Libertadores de América in Buenos Aires province.
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The match, which was tied 1-1, was temporarily suspended in the 48th minute by Uruguayan referee Guillermo Tejera and later canceled by Conmebol, which stated that the final result and possible sanctions against the teams will be determined by its disciplinary unit. In the first leg, the Chileans won 1-0.
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The organization detailed that the cancellation was ordered due to the lack of security guarantees from Independiente and local authorities.
How did the serious incidents in Buenos Aires happen?
The chaos began when supporters of both teams started throwing projectiles such as sticks, bottles, seats, and even toilets at the lower and side stands. Fans of the “U” team also threw at least one firecracker into a nearby box.
All these incidents unfolded in the face of police inaction belonging to the province of Buenos Aires.
After several minutes, and when the match had initially been suspended, the Argentine hooligans climbed to the upper stands, brutally attacked the Chileans, and stripped followers of the “U” of their clothes.
Images on social media showed others hitting Chilean fans with sticks and iron bars, and there are even records of a follower of the blue team jumping into the void from a stand when cornered by Independiente fans.
“We have 90 people detained outside the stadium because they tried to cause disturbances and have already been taken to the police station,” said a source from the Ministry of Security.
The Chilean ambassador in Argentina, José Antonio Viera-Gallo, stated that “there were stab wounds.” Medical sources reported that a Chilean fan had been taken to a hospital in critical condition, and that there were three people in serious condition.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric questioned on the social network X (Twitter) “from the violence in the stands to the evident irresponsibility in the organization,” and indicated that it will be the justice system that determines those responsible. He also reported that he had ordered his ambassador to visit the Chilean fans in the hospital “to ensure” their “safety.”