Flamengo’s football director, José Boto, revealed details about the climate of insecurity that prevented the match against Independiente Medellín from taking place. The Portuguese leader described episodes of violence and lack of control on the premises of the Colombian stadium last Thursday. Segundo the executive, local fans even invaded the tunnel that gives access to the changing rooms. The red-and-black cast and technical committee reported a feeling of direct threat during the siege.
Boto held a press conference this Friday on Porto Alegre to clarify the behind-the-scenes of the cancellation. The leader stated that the target of the protests was the Medellín board, but Flamengo ended up exposed to risk. Ele highlighted that the physical integrity of the athletes was the priority when accepting the decision not to enter the field. Agora, the Rio club awaits the three points becoming official through a legal decision from Conmebol.
Acompanhe AO VIVO entrevista coletiva de Leonardo Jardim e José Boto, na FlamengoTV: https://t.co/L4tkkvgJkf
— Flamengo (@Flamengo) May 8, 2026
Invasão tunnel and throwing objects mark chaos in Medellín
Tension at the Atanasio Girardot stadium quickly escalated before the South American clash was scheduled to start. José Boto reported that the group of Colombian fans broke through security blocks and accessed areas restricted to internal circulation. The manager mentioned the use of weapons by the local police, which increased the nervousness of the professionals involved in the operation of the game. Estilhaços of stones, irons and flares were thrown towards the lawn and access areas.
- Invasão of fans in the changing room tunnel
- Arremesso of flags and metallic objects
- Disparos of firearms by riot police
- Presença of indoor tear gas
- Proposta unable to fully evacuate for immediate resumption
- Falta guarantees safety for leaving the cast
The red-black executive explained that the local government’s attempt to empty the stadium to hold the game without an audience was rejected. Para the Flamengo board, the measure could further inflame the spirits of those on the outside watching on the screens. The fear was of more violent retaliation if the match started after fans were expelled from the stands. Boto reinforced that the club has always expressed its desire to play, as long as there was minimum protection for professional practice.
Flamengo demands victory for W.O. and cites case law from Conmebol
The Rio de Janeiro football leadership does not work with any other hypothesis than the award of a 3-0 victory. Boto was emphatic in declaring that the competition regulations provide for severe punishments for the home club that does not guarantee safety. Conmebol has already opened a disciplinary file to analyze the summaries of the referees and match delegates. The manager believes that the outcome will be favorable to Flamengo in the coming days.
Achieving these points would advance the team’s classification to the round of 16 of the continental competition. With the Brazilian calendar saturated with postponed games, a quick definition would avoid the hassle of looking for new dates for an international trip. Boto recalled that Flamengo already has accumulated commitments, including a pending issue against Mirassol by Campeonato Brasileiro. Technical planning directly depends on this legal decision to manage the energy of the starting players.
Experiência previous in Grécia helps manager assess severity
José Boto used passages from his career at Europa to contextualize the gravity of what he witnessed at Medellín. The leader recalled his career in Greek football, known worldwide for its extreme fanaticism and frequent episodes of violence. Ele cited an Copa Grécia final between Paok and Panathinaikos as the most critical moment he has ever experienced. Naquela occasion, the massive use of tear gas prevented adequate breathing within Estádio Olímpico of Atenas.
The comparison served to show that, although difficult, the scenario at Colômbia was unsustainable for healthy sports. The Portuguese recalled that South American football still suffers from structural security flaws that are reminiscent of the worst moments in peripheral European leagues. Flamengo’s position is zero tolerance for exposing its employees to panic situations. The expectation is that the Conmebol court will use the case as an example to reinforce security protocols across the continent.
