Clashes between rival fans at the Colombia Cup final in Medellin left 59 people injured and caused serious stadium damage.
Violence erupted at Estadio Atanasio Girardot after Atletico Nacional beat Deportivo Independiente Medellin 1-0. Fans stormed the pitch, some armed with flares and fireworks. Riot police were deployed to restore order, and seven officers were injured.
The stadium suffered heavy damage, including ripped seats and burned sections of the pitch. The match start had been delayed 14 minutes due to smoke from pyrotechnics.
Medellin mayor Federico Gutierrez condemned the violence, promising legal action against those responsible. Police seized weapons, flares, and over 120kg of pyrotechnic material.
Authorities had allowed fans from both sides to attend in an effort to promote peace, but the plan backfired. Security officials emphasized the failures were due to fans’ violent behavior, not police.
