The last 16 match of the Copa Sudamericana was underway in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Where the fans clashed during the game between Chile’s Universidad de Chile and the host Argentine club Independiente. Police also held fire to stop the bloody fight. The match was then canceled and 19 injured people were admitted to the hospital. In addition, the Chilean club has alleged that more than a hundred fans were arrested.
According to a report by the British media outlet BBC, Universidad de Chile club authorities have alleged that their supporters were brutally attacked by Independiente fans and local police. This night will be remembered as one of the most violent episodes in football history. Of the 19 injured fans who were hospitalized, 16 have been discharged. Another is in a better condition after being taken to the ICU with a brain injury.
The match was abandoned midway through the violence. During the break, the situation became heated when Chilean fans threw various objects, including a stun grenade, at the home fans in the gallery below. In the second half of the game, Independiente fans freely entered the Chilean fans’ gallery and attacked Universidad de Chile fans, causing the game to be stopped. The Chilean fans were forced to flee in panic.
In a statement, the Chilean club said, “Independiente fans freely entered our gallery and carried out extremely violent and inhuman attacks. Their horrific brutality is beyond words. The home fans even tried to enter the dressing room to attack the Chilean players and the windows of their team bus were smashed. Even though about 100 Chilean fans were detained, the police did not arrest any of the attackers from the home team.”
On the other hand, Argentine club Independiente denied the Chilean club’s allegations, saying that before the match started, visiting fans started a disturbance and destroyed the stadium’s CCTV cameras. They vandalized toilets and threw fireworks at home fans, which in turn led to unacceptable clashes. Although the necessary measures were taken by the administration, they were not enough to control the excessive violence of the visiting fans.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called for the punishment of those involved in the violence, saying, “Violence has no place in football. A fear-free environment must be provided for anyone who wants to enjoy this beautiful game, including players, fans, officials and related personnel. We stand with all the innocent and victims. I hope that the relevant authorities will bring those responsible for these barbaric incidents to justice.”
FAQ
Which teams were playing in the abandoned Copa Sudamericana match?
The last-16 match was between Argentina’s Independiente and Chile’s Universidad de Chile in Buenos Aires.
Why was the match abandoned?
The match was abandoned due to violent clashes between fans in the stands, which escalated beyond control despite police intervention.
How many people were injured during the clashes?
At least 19 people were hospitalized, with one suffering a brain injury. Most others were discharged after treatment.
What were the allegations made by Universidad de Chile?
The Chilean club claimed that Independiente fans and local police brutally attacked their supporters, leaving many injured and over 100 detained.
How did Independiente respond to these allegations?
Independiente denied the accusations, claiming that visiting fans provoked the violence by vandalizing property, throwing fireworks, and attacking home fans.
