Copa Conmebol Sudamericana Clash Halted
The eagerly anticipated Copa Conmebol Sudamericana clash between Independiente and Universidad de Chile was abruptly halted amidst a chaotic scene marked by violent confrontations between fans. The incident unfolded at the Libertadores de América Stadium located in Avellaneda, Argentina, on Wednesday night, prompting authorities to evacuate the venue due to rising tensions that left at least 10 individuals injured and led to nearly 90 arrests.
Match Cancellation Statement
In a statement regarding the event, Conmebol confirmed the cancellation of the match, stating,
“The Conmebol Sudamericana 2025 Round of 16 match between Independiente (ARG) and Universidad de Chile (CHI) has been canceled.”
The governing body explained that the decision stemmed from the inability of the home club and local enforcement to guarantee the safety necessary for the match to proceed.
Violence and Fan Behavior
Amidst the unfolding violence, fans from Universidad de Chile engaged in reckless behavior by hurling projectiles and tearing apart stadium seats, directing their aggression toward Independiente supporters. In a troubling turn of events, some Independiente fans retaliated by breaching into the Universidad de Chile section and launching attacks with stones and sticks. As the situation escalated, chaos ensued, with supporters from both clubs urgently requesting medical help for those injured.
Match Progress and Context
At the point of suspension, the match was level at 1-1, with Lucas Assadi having put Universidad de Chile ahead early on in the 11th minute, followed by Santiago Montiel equalizing for Independiente just 16 minutes later. Despite the competitive nature of the game, with the aggregate score favoring Universidad de Chile at 2-1, the events of the night overshadowed the sporting context and raised serious concerns about fan safety at sporting events.
