Violence After Colombia Football Final
After a big football match in Medellin, Colombia, fights broke out between fans. At least 59 people were hurt, including seven police officers. Because of the violence, the ceremony to give the winning team their trophy was canceled.
What Happened?
The trouble began on Wednesday night, right after the final whistle at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium. The match was the Copa Colombia final. Atletico Nacional beat their city rivals, Deportivo Independiente Medellin, by a score of 1-0 to win the cup.
What should have been a happy celebration quickly turned into chaos. Fans from both teams ran onto the field, threw things, and fought with security guards.
Chaos in the Stadium
- Videos shared online showed many fans invading the pitch.
- Fights happened in different parts of the stadium.
- Police had to step in to control the situation.
- Around 43,000 people were watching the game.
Injuries and No Arrests
Medellin's security chief, Manuel Villa, said that 52 fans needed medical help for their injuries. Police also reported that seven officers were hurt during the clashes.
No one was arrested immediately. However, officials are now looking at security camera footage from around the stadium. They want to find and identify the people who caused the trouble.
Trophy Ceremony Canceled
Because it was not safe, officials decided to cancel the trophy presentation. The medal ceremony for the winning team, Atletico Nacional, was also called off.
Why Visiting Fans Were Allowed
Usually, fans from the "visiting" team are not allowed to attend high-risk matches in Colombia to prevent problems. However, for this final, Medellin city hall made a special decision. They allowed Atletico Nacional fans (who were officially the visiting side) to attend. This was part of a plan to encourage peace and good behavior in football.
Mayor Condemns Violence
Medellin's mayor, Federico Gutierrez, strongly spoke out against the violence. He called the people involved "criminals" and "misfits." He said they do not represent the spirit of the sport.
