The match in Colombia, hosted by Independiente Medellin, was interrupted twice due to violence and then called off.
Published May 8, 2026
The Copa Libertadores match between hosts Independiente Medellin of Colombia and defending champion Flamengo of Brazil was called off after home fans fired smoke bombs and set fires in the stands.
In the latest example of serious crowd trouble in South American soccer, the referee ordered players off the field at Medellin’s Atanasio Giraldo Stadium shortly after kick-off on Thursday.
Recommended stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
After about 50 minutes, authorities ordered the evacuation of spectators, after which regional group CONMEBOL announced that Group A matches had been cancelled.
Some of the home team’s enthusiastic fans, some with their faces covered by masks, protested against the club’s management and owners.
Jose Boto, sporting director of Rio giants Flamengo, called on CONMEBOL to award the visiting team three points.
“The responsibility is not ours. The home team could not guarantee safety,” he said in the video.
