A Copa Sudamericana match between Independiente and Universidad de Chile in Buenos Aires was cancelled last night as tensions turned to violence, with over 300 fans said to be arrested and 19 remaining in hospital.
It has been reported that two fans were stabbed during the outbreak, while one remains in a life-threatening condition after falling from a height.
The violence occurred during half-time, with the game at 1-1, when fragments of broken toilets, stun grenades, sinks and seats were thrown down from the away support to the home fans on the tier below.
Independiente fans then descended on the Universidad support with unwavering determination, as away fans were forced to flee. Although this was made difficult as the away section was at the top of the stadium.
Fans could be seen being stripped and beaten in the crows
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Horrific footage online showed fans being stripped and beaten with metal poles.
Universidad de Chile took to social media to condemn the violence, saying: “CONMEBOL officially announced the cancellation of the return match against Independiente, so we will await the resolution of the corresponding authority.
“However, at this moment, sports take a backseat. Our utmost concern is to know the condition of the fans brutally attacked at the Estadio Libertadores de América.
The outburst occurred during half-time
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“What happened today must not occur in any stadium or place. A field cannot be the scene of images like those we witnessed.”
Jose Antonio Viera-Gallo, the Chilean Ambassador to Argentina, confirmed to Chilean radio station Cooperativa that knives had been used.
He said: "There are injuries on both sides, some with knives. There is at least one Chilean seriously injured, hospitalised, a person in his 30s."
Universidad claimed placing away support above the home section led to the trouble: "Terrible, this is unbelievable. It's also an organisational issue: they can't put the U fans above the Independiente fans. Everyone has problems here; this has become a circus."
Independiente president Nestor Grindetti said that “logical” safety precautions had been taken, despite contrary claims from the Chilean side, however insisted the blame lay with the away support.
"[It was] reprehensible behaviour from the U supporters,” Grindetti said. “They destroyed our bathrooms, took artefacts and threw them in the stands. Violence I'd never seen before.
"The Independiente fans didn't deserve such a thing. It's clear the problem started and continued with just one fanbase. The behaviour of our fans has always been exemplary."
Universidad president Michael Clark responded by saying: "I heard [Independiente's] words, and they surprise me and sadden me. This isn't the time to look at who's responsible. What happened today is a tragedy."
Lo sucedido en Avellaneda entre las hinchadas de Independiente y Universidad de Chile está mal en demasiados sentidos, desde la violencia en las barras hasta la evidente irresponsabilidad en la organización. La justicia deberá determinar los responsables.
— Gabriel Boric Font (@GabrielBoric) August 21, 2025
Ahora nuestra…
The game was originally suspended in the second half, later to be abandoned due to a “lack of security guarantees from the local club and local security authorities”.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric condemned the incident on social media: "What happened in Avellaneda between the fans of Independiente and Universidad de Chile is wrong in too many ways, from the violence among the supporters to the evident irresponsibility in the organisation. Justice must determine those responsible."
“Now our priority as a Government is to know the condition of our compatriots who have been attacked, ensure their immediate medical attention, and guarantee that those who are detained have their rights respected.
“To this end, we are working with the Embassy, Consulate, Foreign Ministry, and Ministry of the Interior.
"Nothing justifies a lynching. Nothing.”