sports
Copa Libertadores Match Abandoned After Independiente Medellín Fans Protest by Setting Fires in Stands
A Group A Copa Libertadores match between Independiente Medellin and defending champions Flamengo was called off on Thursday after home fans twice interrupted play by setting flares and fires in the stands at Atanasio Girardot stadium in Medellin, Colombia. Authorities evacuated spectators after about 50 minutes.
May 8, 8:17 AM·1m read1 source
Al JazeeraAudio version
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A Copa Libertadores group stage match between Independiente Medellin and defending champions Flamengo was abandoned Thursday after home fans set off flares and lit fires in the stands at Atanasio Girardot stadium in Medellin, Colombia. The referee ordered the players off the field shortly after kickoff. The match was interrupted twice by violence before being called off entirely.
After about 50 minutes, authorities ordered the evacuation of spectators from Atanasio Girardot stadium. CONMEBOL subsequently announced that the Group A encounter had been called off. Hardcore fans of Independiente Medellin, some with their faces covered by masks, were protesting against the club’s management and owners.
Al Jazeera reported that the fans set fire to the stands during the match. Jose Boto, sporting director of Flamengo, said the club bore no responsibility for the chaos. “The responsibility is not ours; the home team was unable to guarantee security,” he said in a video.
Boto called on CONMEBOL to award the visiting side the three points.
Images from the scene showed fans setting fires in the stands at Atanasio Girardot stadium in Medellin.
