Conmebol canceled the match between Independiente Medellín and Flamengo. The Libertadores 2026 group stage game lasted less than two minutes at the Atanasio Girardot stadium. Torcedores from the Colombian team invaded the pitch and threw bombs and flares. The entity cited a lack of security guarantees on the part of the home club and the authorities.
Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela stopped the confrontation right at the beginning. Jogadores from both teams left the field. The strike lasted for more than an hour until the official announcement of the cancellation.
Torcida invades the pitch in protest against the club’s crisis
Torcedores from Independiente Medellín organized the act before the ball even rolled. The team is going through a bad time at Campeonato Colombiano. Membros of organizers entered the stadium dressed in black and with their faces covered. Eles threw objects onto the field and started a fire in the stands.
Grades installed around the lawn were removed by the invaders. Smoke filled part of the stadium. Independiente Medellín was already receiving boos from their own fans. The protest also targeted the club’s board of directors and a shareholder.
- Torcedores threw bombs and flares towards the field
- Invasores removed protective barriers installed by the organization
- Princípio fire was recorded in the stands
- Equipes left the field with around six minutes of running time
- Sistema of stadium sound guided spectators to leave
Árbitro interrupts the game in the first moments
The duel started with Luiz Araújo almost scoring against Flamengo. The invasion occurred before two minutes. The referee stopped the match due to lack of safety conditions. The teams followed protocol and returned to the locker rooms. Conmebol applied the prudential time of 45 minutes before making the final decision.
Jogadores and Flamengo’s technical committee waited for the decision to be made inside the stadium. The Brazilian club issued a statement reinforcing that the responsibility for security lay with the home team. The red-black delegation left the site safely hours later.
South American Entidade forwards case to trial
Conmebol published an official note this Friday morning. The text mentions that all Manual and Clubes procedures were followed. The case goes to the confederation’s judicial bodies. Article 24.2 of the Código Disciplinar provides for W.O. 3-0 for the opponent when the home team is responsible for the cancellation.
The entity informed that all images and reports will be analyzed. Flamengo must ask for the three points. Independiente Medellín faces the risk of additional sanctions, such as loss of field command in future games or a fine.
Detalhes from confusion on Atanasio Girardot
The stadium received extra bars due to the announced tension. Mesmo thus, the protest got out of control. Torcedores removed the barriers and got close to the players. The police acted to contain excesses. The match was permanently suspended after more than 60 minutes of stoppage.
Independiente Medellín was competing in the fourth round of Grupo A of Libertadores. Flamengo traveled to Colômbia in search of victory. Agora, the Brazilian team’s focus returns to the next commitments in the tournament and Brasileirão.
What happens to the Grupo A table
Conmebol should confirm the result in the next few days. Caso the W.O. is applied, Flamengo adds three points without entering the field. Independiente Medellín gets zero and may still suffer punishments. Outros teams from the group follow the outcome. The group stage continues with remaining rounds.
The episode marks another chapter of problems with organized fans at Libertadores. Conmebol reinforces safety rules in stadiums. Clubes and local authorities need to present effective plans before each game.