Fifty-nine people were injured after violence broke out between rival supporters at the Colombia Cup final in Medellin.
The trouble followed Atletico Nacional’s 1-0 victory over city rivals Deportivo Independiente Medellin in Wednesday’s second leg at Estadio Atanasio Girardot, a ground shared by both clubs.
After the final whistle, fans invaded the pitch, with some throwing flares and fireworks, prompting riot police to intervene to restore order. Seven police officers were among those hurt in the clashes.
Local outlet El Colombiano reported significant damage to the stadium, including seats and turnstiles being torn out and parts of the pitch burned. The start of the match had already been delayed by 14 minutes due to poor visibility caused by pyrotechnics in the stands.
Medellin mayor Federico Gutierrez condemned the violence, describing those responsible as “misfits who only seek to generate violence”, and warned there would be legal consequences.
“Anyone who went to the stadium to attack, destroy or incite fear will be held accountable under the law,” he said. “We will not allow a few to damage what belongs to everyone.”
Police commander William Castano told local broadcaster Teleantioquia that officers had seized weapons, flares and fireworks from spectators, including more than 120kg of pyrotechnic material.
“It was necessary to use force in a measured way to prevent a pitch invasion, control disturbances and guarantee the safety of those attending,” he said.
Medellin’s secretary of security, Manuel Villa, added that the issue was not policing but fan behaviour. “Here, security did not fail; what failed was the behaviour of those who chose violence,” he said.
Away supporters are usually banned from major matches in Colombia to prevent unrest, but authorities had allowed fans from both sides to attend the final in an effort to promote peace in football.
