The game between Independiente Medellín and Flamengo for the fourth round of Grupo A by Copa Libertadores has been cancelled. The decision came just minutes after the start of the match on Thursday night at the Atanasio Girardot stadium in Medellín. Torcedores from the home team caused disturbances with the throwing of canes, dense smoke and objects on the pitch. Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela stopped the match about three minutes into the game.
The teams returned to the locker rooms while security forces operated in the stands. Conmebol confirmed the definitive cancellation hours later. The result and punishments for the Colombian club still depend on analysis by the disciplinary committee based on the arbitration report.
Distúrbios started early and prevented the match from progressing
The confusion gained momentum right from the beginning. Torcedores organized by DIM lit pyrotechnic devices in the north stand. Smoke invaded the field and reduced visibility. Alguns tried to break down protective barriers and invade the lawn. The referee interrupted the game to ensure the integrity of the athletes.
Jogadores on both sides waited for over an hour. Conmebol chose to cancel rather than resume, even with the possibility of closed doors. The stadium was gradually emptied amid protests.
Protesto came from dissatisfaction with campaign in the local tournament
Fans were angry with Independiente Medellín’s early elimination in Campeonato Colombiano’s playoffs. The team finished in 11th place and left the fans frustrated. Banners against the board and Conmebol appeared on the stands.
The atmosphere was already tense before the ball rolled. Parte from the organized fans attended dressed in black and with their faces covered. The protest extended to the lawn with objects thrown.
- Torcedores threw canes and generated a smoke screen
- Field invasion Tentativa with breaking down barriers
- Objetos and lawn-directed lasers
- Banners criticizing Conmebol and the club’s management
- Esvaziamento partial of the stadium during the stoppage
Raúl Giraldo lives under pressure after recent episode
DIM’s majority shareholder, Raúl Giraldo, was at the center of another controversy days earlier. Após was eliminated from the national tournament, he showed money bills to the fans in a gesture interpreted as provocation. The director later apologized and resigned from his legal representation of the club.
The fans’ accumulated dissatisfaction had this backdrop. The episode increased tension on Atanasio Girardot on Thursday night.
Conmebol must apply disciplinary code to the case
Conmebol Article 24.2 of Código Disciplinar provides that the home team responsible for the suspension may lose by W.O. with a score of 3 to 0. Flamengo, who leads Grupo A, would take the three points. The committee reviews the full report.
Elevated Multas are also on the punishment list. Precedentes indicate amounts that can reach tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Além In addition, the club can host between three and more games behind closed doors in Conmebol competitions, which affects the box office.
DIM occupies third place in the group and needed a positive result to stay alive in the fight for a place in the round of 16. Flamengo, in turn, traveled with a full squad and had already demonstrated strength in the competition.
Histórico shows entity rigidity in similar cases
In 2015, Boca Juniors was eliminated from Libertadores after a pepper spray incident against River Plate. Conmebol applied W.O. and classified the opponent. Situações security breaches usually generate heavy sanctions for the principal.
The entity tends to prioritize the integrity of the tournament and the protection of those involved. Decisões will leave within a few days after analyzing the documents.
What changes for Grupo A from Libertadores
Canceling changes the key calendar. Flamengo has the chance to score points without entering the field. Independiente Medellín is at risk of not scoring points and still losing income. The other teams in the group follow the outcome to plan the final stretch of the group stage.
Conmebol is expected to release the official decision on the score and sanctions in the coming days. The focus remains on the technical analysis of the referee and match delegate report.
