South America’s Champions League match stopped lower than 2 minutes in after followers began burning stadium sections | Worldwide Sports activities Information
A Copa Libertadores conflict, South America’s equal of the UEFA Champions League, between Brazilian giants CR Flamengo and Colombian facet Independiente Medellín was deserted simply moments after kick-off following chaotic protests from residence supporters contained in the stadium. The Group A fixture on the Atanasio Girardot Stadium, additionally recognized domestically because the Gigante de la Montaña, descended into dysfunction after Independiente Medellín followers started throwing objects onto the pitch, lighting flares and making an attempt to invade the sector.Based on The SunThe match was stopped by Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela with only one minute and 50 seconds on the clock earlier than each groups had been finally despatched again to their dressing rooms. Scenes contained in the stadium shortly escalated as fires broke out in sections of the stands whereas safety personnel and police tried to stop a full-scale pitch invasion behind one of many objectives.
Followers protested in opposition to membership possession and administration
Studies in Colombian media acknowledged the unrest was pushed by rising anger amongst Independiente Medellín supporters towards the membership’s possession and administration following a poor run of kind. The Colombian facet just lately suffered a 2-1 residence defeat in opposition to Águilas Doradas, a end result that eradicated them from the Liga Dimayor Apertura playoffs. Liga Dimayor is Colombia’s high home soccer competitors, organised by the División Mayor del Fútbol Colombiano, generally often known as Dimayor. The group has additionally slipped to eleventh place within the Liga Dimayor standings throughout a disappointing stretch of outcomes. In the course of the disturbances, supporters unveiled a banner criticising the gamers in addition to Dimayor, CONMEBOL, South America’s governing soccer physique, and FIFA.
Followers of Colombia’s Independiente Medellin cheer and lightweight flares throughout a Copa Libertadores Group A soccer match between Independiente Medellinin and Brazil’s Flamengo in Medellin, Colombia, Thursday, Could 7, 2026. (AP Picture/Fernando Vergara)
Safety officers had reportedly requested that the match be performed behind closed doorways due to rising tensions among the many fanbase, however the request was finally denied by membership officers.
Hearth breaks out in stands as journalists caught in chaos
The environment contained in the stadium grew to become more and more harmful as flares and projectiles continued to be launched from the stands. Photographs and photographs from the bottom confirmed one part of seating engulfed in flames whereas supporters continued throwing objects towards the pitch. ESPN Brazil reported that one in all its reporters had a backpack catch hearth after missiles had been thrown into the media space, whereas a cameraman’s trousers and gear had been additionally reportedly set alight in the course of the unrest. Safety forces had been later deployed all through the stadium as officers tried to regain management of the scenario. Round 10 minutes after the stoppage, the stadium announcer instructed supporters to depart the bottom earlier than CONMEBOL formally known as the sport off roughly an hour after kick-off.
Gamers of Colombia’s Independiente Medellin and Brazil’s Flamengo stand on the sector after the match was briefly suspended due to crowd bother throughout a Copa Libertadores Group A soccer match in Medellin, Colombia, Thursday, Could 7, 2026. (AP Picture/Fernando Vergara)
Supporter anger reportedly intensified after membership proprietor Raúl Giraldo was seen making obscene gestures towards followers earlier than later asserting his resignation from authorized illustration duties linked to the membership. Protesters have since demanded the removing of your entire administration construction. Neither Independiente Medellín nor CONMEBOL instantly issued detailed public feedback following the abandonment.
Flamengo anticipate to obtain victory below CONMEBOL guidelines
Flamengo director of soccer José Boto later mentioned the Brazilian facet anticipated to be awarded all three factors below CONMEBOL rules. “The duty isn’t ours, the rules are clear,” Boto mentioned in a video posted on Flamengo’s official social media account. “The house group failed to ensure safety.” Underneath the CONMEBOL disciplinary code, if a membership is deemed accountable for the suspension, cancellation or abandonment of a match, the opposing facet will be awarded a 3-0 victory. If that ruling is utilized, defending Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo would lengthen their lead on the high of Group A and transfer 4 factors away from Argentine facet Estudiantes de La Plata. Independiente Medellín would stay third within the four-team group with 4 factors, having solely defeated Peruvian membership Cusco FC to this point within the competitors.
Flamengo squad options a number of former Premier League gamers
Flamengo at present boast a squad containing a number of well-known former Premier League gamers, together with Lucas Paquetá, Jorginho, Emerson Royal and Danilo. In the course of the prolonged delay, Jorginho posted a photograph from inside Flamengo’s dressing room on X alongside a number of teammates with the caption: “We’re doing properly and ready proper right here!” Flamengo are one of the vital profitable golf equipment in South American soccer historical past and famously defeated Liverpool FC 3-0 within the 1981 Intercontinental Cup last because of a legendary efficiency from iconic midfielder Zico.
Newest flashpoint in turbulent South American soccer season
The deserted Copa Libertadores tie is the most recent main incident involving South American soccer this 12 months. Again in March, the Campeonato Mineiro last between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro led to an enormous mass brawl that resulted in an astonishing 23 pink playing cards. Former Porto and Zenit striker Hulk was among the many gamers concerned after Cruzeiro secured a 1-0 victory. “It’s regrettable, I’ve by no means seen violence like that in any soccer recreation,” Hulk advised native media following the clashes.
