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In a shocking turn of events, a Copa Sudamericana match was called off in Buenos Aires due to violent clashes between supporters of Independiente and Universidad de Chile. Some fans were stripped, beaten, and one was left in critical condition due to violence inside the football stadium. Universidad de Chile confirmed that 19 of their supporters were hospitalised after Wednesday’s Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 second leg against Argentine side Independiente. The club also stated that 90 Chilean fans had been arrested, but the number exceeded 300 if the local media is to be believed.
The Copa Sudamericana second-leg match, a crucial clash in the round of 16 following Universidad de Chile’s narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg, was soon overshadowed by violent incidents. When the kickoff started, some Chilean fans from the south stand started harassing and throwing objects at fans sitting below them. There were reports that some threw stones and bags filled with excrement.
Although the security was called, the match continued. However, during the second half, it was reported that a stun grenade was thrown at local fans, forcing the match to be delayed and the Chilean fans to leave the stadium. The situation soon turned serious when police moved in to evict the visiting fans. With most of the section already cleared, a group of Independiente’s barras bravas then targeted the remaining Chilean supporters still in the area.
You can't put our fans above the Independiente fans: Universidad de Chile director Daniel Schapira says
When the violence went out of hand, Uruguayan referee Gustavo Tejera called to cancel the match midway due to lack of security. "Taking into account that the provisions of the Club Manual for similar situations have been complied with, without the situation being remedied, the match is cancelled and the case will be referred to the Conmebol Judicial Bodies for further determinations," the governing body of the tournament said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the series of blame games began when Universidad de Chile director Daniel Schapira blamed the organisation for the violence and attack on fans. "You can't put our fans above the Independiente fans. It's crazy," he said. Chile’s ambassador to Argentina, Jose Antonio Viera-Gallo, confirmed that among the injured is at least one 30-year-old Chilean who remains in serious condition.
Also, Chile President Gabriel Boric said that his government is ensuring victims of the attack get complete medical assistance. "Now our priority as a government is to know the condition of our compatriots who have been attacked, ensure their immediate medical attention, and guarantee that those who are detained have their rights respected," he said.
