Over 100 fans were arrested Wednesday after spectator violence erupted in a Copa Sudamericana match between the Argentine Independiente and Universidad de Chile teams.
On Thursday authorities said that at least 20 fans were left injured, one of them in critical condition.
Images showed two fans jumping from the upper deck of the stands to escape the attack, while others collapsed after being hit in the head with a stick.
Several other fans were naked and covered in blood, begging the attackers for mercy.
The match was played Wednesday night at the Libertadores de América stadium in Avellaneda, a province Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires was cancelled.
“I strongly condemn the shocking violence which led to the cancellation of the Copa Sudamericana match between Independiente and Universidad de Chile," said FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino. “Violence has no place in soccer — players, fans, staff, officials and everyone who enjoys our beautiful game should be able to do so without fear.”
CONMEBOL, the South America soccer governing body, said on Thursday that is investigating and will issue a ruling later on.
“The Confederation is collecting data and processing information, which is being forwarded to the Disciplinary Unit for the application of the corresponding sanctions,” CONMEBOL said in a statement.
According to the Argentine police, the incident began when Universidad de Chile fans, located in the upper stands, broke seats and the stadium’s restrooms and threw blunt objects toward the lower section, where the home fans were located. Police and private security personnel were also attacked.
The police did not intervene to control the disturbances arguing that is was for “preventing a greater damage,” according to the official report. Instead, they warned Chilean fans to stop their behavior through the loudspeakers.
As they continued to throw projectiles, the match was suspended at halftime with the score at 1-1.
Just as the U fans were leaving the stands, Independiente’s hooligans decided to get revenge. Hooded, they evaded police control, broke down doors, and entered the visitors’ section. There, they attacked the visitors with sticks and metal bars.
Two of them, cornered, jumped into the void, according to images captured by witnesses’ cell phones.
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