South America’s Champions League match stopped in less than two minutes after fans started burning parts of the stadium. international sports news
The Copa Libertadores clash, South America’s equivalent of the UEFA Champions League, between Brazilian giants CR Flamengo and Colombian side Independiente Medellin was abandoned moments after kick-off due to a chaotic protest by home supporters inside the stadium. The Group A match at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium, also known locally as Gigante de la Montaña, descended into chaos when Independiente Medellín fans began throwing objects onto the pitch, lighting fires and attempting to invade the field.According to The SunVenezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela stopped the match with just one minute and 50 seconds remaining, before both teams were eventually sent back to their dressing rooms. The scene inside the stadium rapidly deteriorated as parts of the stands caught fire while security personnel and police attempted to prevent a full-scale pitch invasion behind one of the goals.
Fans protest against the club’s ownership and management
Reports in the Colombian media said The club’s poor form led to unrest among Independiente Medellín supporters due to growing anger towards the club’s ownership and management. The Colombian team recently suffered a 2–1 defeat at home against Águilas Doradas, a result that eliminated them from the Liga Demajor Apertura playoffs. The Liga Dimayor is Colombia’s top domestic football competition, organized by the División Mayor del Fútbol Colombiano, commonly known as the Dimayor. The disappointing results have also seen the team slip to 11th in the Liga Dimaore standings. During the disturbance, supporters unveiled a banner criticizing the players as well as Demayor, CONMEBOL, South America’s governing football body, and FIFA.
Fans of Independiente Medellin of Colombia celebrate and flash lights during the Copa Libertadores Group A football match between Independiente Medellin and Flamengo of Brazil in Medellin, Colombia, Thursday, May 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Security officials reportedly requested that the match be played behind closed doors due to rising tensions among fans, but this request was ultimately denied by club officials.
The stand caught fire as journalists got caught in the chaos.
The atmosphere inside the stadium became even more dangerous as flames and shells started being fired from the stands. Images and footage from the ground showed a section of seating engulfed in flames, while supporters were throwing objects towards the pitch. ESPN Brazil reported that one of its reporters’ backpack caught fire after missiles were thrown into the media area, while a cameraman’s trousers and equipment were also set on fire during the unrest. Security forces were later deployed throughout the stadium as authorities attempted to gain control of the situation. About 10 minutes after stoppage, the stadium announcer instructed supporters to leave the field, before CONMEBOL officially called off the game about an hour after kick-off.
Players of Colombia’s Independiente Medellín and Brazil’s Flamengo stand on the field after the match was temporarily suspended due to crowd trouble during a Copa Libertadores Group A soccer match in Medellin, Colombia, Thursday, May 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Supporters’ anger reportedly increased when club owner Raúl Giraldo was seen making obscene gestures towards fans and he subsequently announced his resignation from legal representation duties associated with the club. Protestors have since demanded the removal of the entire management structure. Neither Independiente Medellín nor CONMEBOL immediately released detailed public comments following the abandonment.
Flamengo expected to win under CONMEBOL rules
Flamengo’s director of football José Boto later said that the Brazilian side expected to be awarded all three points under CONMEBOL rules. “The responsibility is not ours, the rules are clear,” Boto said in a video posted on Flamengo’s official social media account. “The home team failed to guarantee security.” Under the CONMEBOL Disciplinary Code, if a club is deemed responsible for the suspension, cancellation or abandonment of a match, a 3–0 win may be awarded to the opposing side. If that decision is implemented, reigning Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo will extend their lead at the top of Group A to four points ahead of Argentine side Estudiantes de La Plata. Independiente Medellin will finish third in the four-team group with four points, having only beaten Peruvian club Cusco FC so far in the competition.
Flamengo squad includes many former Premier League players
Flamengo currently has several well-known former Premier League players, including Lucas Paqueta, Jorginho, Emerson Royal and Danilo. During the lengthy delay, Jorginho posted a photo on X with several teammates from inside Flamengo’s dressing room and captioned it: “We’re doing well and waiting right here!” Flamengo is one of the most successful clubs in South American football history and defeated Liverpool FC 3–0 in the 1981 Intercontinental Cup final thanks to a stellar performance from iconic midfielder Zico.
The latest flashpoint in a turbulent South American soccer season
The abandoned Copa Libertadores tie is the latest major event involving South American football this year. In March, the Campeonato Mineiro final between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro ended in a massive brawl, resulting in an astonishing 23 red cards. Former Porto and Zenit striker Hulk was among the players involved after the match ensured Cruzeiro’s 1–0 win. After the clash Hulk told local media, “It’s regrettable, I’ve never seen this kind of violence in any football game.”