A Copa Libertadores football match between Colombia’s Independiente Medellín and Brazil’s Flamengo was dramatically suspended after just three minutes on Thursday, and later called off entirely. The abrupt halt came when fans of the Colombian team began lighting flares and throwing various objects onto the pitch.
The disruptive incident, which unfolded at the Atanasio Girardot stadium in Medellín, was reportedly an organised protest. It was apparently directed against the local club’s management, following a string of poor results in the Colombian league where Independiente Medellín had been eliminated after finishing in 11th place.
Moments after the flares and objects started to rain down, referee Jesús Valenzuela swiftly ordered players from both sides to retreat to their locker rooms. Security forces were then deployed to intervene within the stadium. The match remained scoreless at the point of its suspension.
More than an hour later, CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, officially called off the match, which was part of the fourth round of Group A.
The CONMEBOL Disciplinary Code states that when a team is deemed responsible for the suspension, cancellation or abandonment of a match, the game will be awarded to the non-offending team, handing Flamengo a 3-0 win.
During the stoppage, Flamengo player Jorginho posted a message on his X account saying: “We’re fine and waiting here,” along with a photo inside the locker room with his teammates Everton Cebolinha, Ayrton Lucas, Luiz Araújo, Leo Ortiz, and Leo Pereira.
Flamengo, the current Copa Libertadores champion, leads Group A with seven points, one more than Estudiantes de La Plata. Medellín is third with four points.
