CONMEBOL pledges strong sanctions following Copa Sudamericana fan violence
CONMEBOL on Thursday condemned the fan violence that forced the abandonment of the Copa Sudamericana last-16 tie between Independiente and Universidad de Chile in Buenos Aires, which left several injured and led to multiple arrests, vowing firm sanctions in response.
South American football's governing body halted Wednesday's match at Independiente's Libertadores de America stadium shortly after the start of the second half amid growing security concerns, with the match level at 1-1 and the Chilean side leading 2-1 on aggregate.
Chilean fans threw objects at home supporters, prompting Independiente fans to storm the visitors' section. In the chaos, at least one Chilean supporter leapt from the upper stands to escape.
"The Confederation expresses its repudiation and strongly condemns the acts of violence that took place inside and outside the stadium... The institution will act with the utmost firmness, in accordance with the regulations of the Disciplinary Committee," CONMEBOL said in a statement.
It added that it was "currently gathering data and processing information, which is being forwarded to the Disciplinary Unit for the application of the corresponding sanctions."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the "shocking violence" that led to the cancellation of the match. "We hope that the competent authorities will impose exemplary sanctions against the perpetrators of these terrible acts," he said.
The Chilean Foreign Ministry said 19 of its citizens were hospitalised and 101 detained, while Argentine media reported more than 300 Universidad de Chile fans were taken into custody and supporters from both clubs were injured.
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Chile President Gabriel Boric said on social media he had instructed the Chilean ambassador to visit fans being held at police stations and treated in hospitals in the Argentine capital. The Chilean consulate in Buenos Aires will be reinforced with officials travelling to Argentina.
"Violence has no justification, from any side, and we will protect the rights of our citizens without prejudice to the responsibilities that may be established by the justice system," Boric wrote on his X account.
Independiente also condemned the incidents, stressing that the violence began in the visitors' section, where Chilean fans allegedly damaged facilities and hurled rubble and pyrotechnics at home supporters before "unacceptable violence by local groups occurred".
The club said security protocols were activated, medical assistance provided, and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
"We reiterate with absolute clarity: we reject all forms of violence, whoever it comes from," the club said in a statement on Thursday.
"The Club will work tirelessly so that every individual responsible is identified and sanctioned." REUTERS
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