BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Copa Libertadores soccer Thursday’s match between Colombia’s Independiente Medellin and Brazil’s Flamengo was stopped after just three minutes, after fans of the Colombian team started lighting smoke bombs and throwing objects onto the pitch.
The incident at Medellin’s Atanasio Giraldo Stadium appears to have been organized as a protest against the local club’s management following Independiente Medellin’s exit in 11th place in the Colombian league.
Just minutes after the smoke bombs began, referee Jesus Valenzuela ordered players from both teams to go to their locker rooms while security forces intervened at the stadium. The game was scoreless at the time of the suspension.
After more than an hour, ConmebolSouth American soccer’s governing body has officially canceled the matches that were part of Round 4 of Group A.
The CONMEBOL Disciplinary Code states that if a team is deemed responsible for suspending, canceling or abandoning a match, the match will be awarded to the non-offending team, with Flamengo winning 3-0.
During the suspension, Flamengo’s Jorginho posted on his X account the message: “We’re fine, we’ll be waiting here” and a photo of himself in the dressing room with teammates Everton Sebolinha, Ayrton Lucas, Luis Araujo, Leo Ortiz and Leo Pereira.
flamengo, Current Copa Libertadores Champion They lead Group A with seven points, one more than Estudiantes de la Plata. Medellin are in 3rd place with 4 points.
___ AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
