Copa Sudamericana fixture abandoned following extreme violence as Universidad de Chile fans were chased by home supporters.
Following violent altercations between supporters, which left one fan in critical condition after falling from the top tier of a stand and others stripped and assaulted, a Copa Sudamericana match in Buenos Aires was called off.
Following Wednesday’s second leg of their round of 16 match against Argentine team Independiente, Universidad de Chile reports that 19 of their supporters are in the hospital.
The club also stated that 97 Chileans had been taken into custody, despite reports from the local media claiming the number was closer to 300.
After falling from a height at the Estadio Libertadores de America in the Avellaneda neighbourhood of the Argentine capital, two supporters were stabbed, and one is undergoing surgery.
A stun grenade, chunks of brick, toilets, sinks, and seats were thrown from the away section onto the lower tier housing home supporters during the half, igniting the violence.
Early in the second half, it seemed that home fans had moved into the away section, attacking the visiting fans and making them leave.
“Nothing justifies a lynching. Nothing,” said Chile president Gabriel Boric on social media., external
“What happened in Avellaneda between the fans of Independiente and Universidad de Chile is wrong in too many ways, from the violence among the supporters to the evident irresponsibility in the organisation. Justice must determine those responsible.”
Jose Antonio Viera-Gallo, the Chilean Ambassador to Argentina, told Chilean radio station Cooperativa: “There are injuries on both sides, some with knives. There is at least one Chilean seriously injured, hospitalised, a person in his 30s.”
Universidad de Chile director Daniel Schapira told Chilean radio station ADN: “We’re always experiencing the same thing, it’s desperate. It’s a social, cultural issue; this is much more than football. They gave us 3,500 tickets and look what’s happening.
“Terrible, this is unbelievable. It’s also an organisational issue: they can’t put the U fans above the Independiente fans. Everyone has problems here; this has become a circus.”