Chaos erupted during a Copa Sudamericana last-16 second-leg match between Argentina’s Independiente and Universidad de Chile on Wednesday, leaving ten people injured and 90 arrested after violent clashes in Buenos Aires.
The game at Estadio Libertadores de América was suspended shortly after halftime when visiting fans began throwing stones, bottles, sticks, and seats at home supporters. Violence escalated as Independiente fans stormed the away section, attacking and stripping some Chilean supporters. In the midst of the chaos, one Universidad de Chile fan jumped from the stands to escape being cornered.
Police reported that 90 individuals were detained outside the stadium for attempting to incite further disturbances. Independiente later confirmed that 10 people had been injured, with Chile’s ambassador to Argentina adding that some victims suffered stab wounds, and at least one was seriously injured.
The match, tied 1-1 at the 48th minute before abandonment, had seen Universidad de Chile carry a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric condemned the violence, demanding accountability from organizers and justice for those responsible. Both clubs issued statements denouncing the incidents, while Independiente president Nestor Grindetti labeled the actions of the visiting fans “truly reprehensible.”
Players from both sides had tried to calm the situation, but their appeals went unanswered. Chilean international Felipe Loyola, currently playing for Independiente, criticized the lack of police intervention, writing on social media: “This level of violence cannot be tolerated. I don’t know where the police were.”
The scenes echoed previous tragedies in South American football, including April’s deadly clashes in Santiago before a Copa Libertadores game between Colo Colo and Fortaleza that left two people dead.
