Violence on the Field of South American Football Leaves Dozens Injured and More Than a Hundred Arrested

Football is a game that unites millions of fans, but on occasion passion becomes pandemonium. Perhaps the most appalling on-field moment in recent South American football was when there was a violent brawl between fans of Argentina's Independiente and Universidad de Chile during the Copa Sudamericana. The match was meant to be a celebration of football but it turned into a night of fear and bloodshed within the Libertadores de América Stadium in Avellaneda.

The violence erupted shortly after the match began. Approximately 4000 Universidad de Chile fans had made their way to Buenos Aires to watch their team and they were largely in the higher stands of the stadium. The Buenos Aires Ministry of Security reports indicated that certain traveling supporters began breaking bathrooms food stalls and even removing seats. They also started hurling objects at Independiente supporters. The mood that was to be charged with chants and songs immediately became nasty and menacing.

Police within the stadium issued warnings over the speakers ordering the visiting supporters to calm down and vacate the stands but their warnings were disregarded. There was even more brutality that followed with Independiente fans in groups blocking the exits and attacking Universidad supporters with sticks and knives. Videos captured images of fans lying unconscious on the ground as others attempted to jump out of the stands to rescue themselves. At least two Chilean fans remained in critical condition and close to 20 were seriously hurt.

In spite of the level of violence, police officers and private security failed to intervene timely and this just worsened the situation. Witnesses testified that dozens of fans were injured and helpless but attackers kept on beating them. The delay in response by security forces has now cast serious doubts over the security of stadiums in South American football.

125 Universidad de Chile supporters were arrested after the trouble had died down. They were released but investigations continue. Authorities issued a warrant for the arrest of a few Independiente supporters who had been identified as having been involved in the attack. The prosecutor's office indicated that more arrests would come as evidence is gathered.

The match was itself abandoned when it was at 1-1. Universidad de Chile were winning the tie 2-1 on aggregate and the score will stand because officials established that the match will not resume. The abandonment puts the future of Independiente in the Copa Sudamericana into doubt because the security of the match normally lies with the home club.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was quick to respond to the incident demanding strict punishments and exemplary fines on the guilty parties. He expressed that football never has to let such episodes of violence mar the game and appealed to CONMEBOL to convey a stern message. South American football's governing body has now initiated a disciplinary case and will likely impose penalties in the next few weeks.

There is a good chance that Independiente will be knocked out of the competition since CONMEBOL regulations make host clubs responsible for safety within their stadia. History shows punishments have been drastic. Earlier this year in a Copa Libertadores match played between Chile's Colo Colo and Brazil's Fortaleza, there were also violent confrontations that resulted in two fatalities. Consequently CONMEBOL sanctioned Colo Colo with a loss and made them play five home games without spectators. This sets a precedent so Independiente may be subject to same or worse sanctions.

Some pundits think CONMEBOL may not only punish Independiente but may also act against Universidad de Chile. The organization can strip both clubs of their Copa Sudamericana and even ban them from international football next year. If that is to happen, it would be a major setback for both teams and their fans. Peruvian club Alianza Lima is meanwhile waiting to find out which team would be its foe in the quarterfinals.

The presidents of both clubs have already started pointing fingers at each other for the tragedy. Independiente president Néstor Grindetti went to Paraguay to negotiate with CONMEBOL authorities and pleaded that Universidad de Chile supporters were the instigators of the destruction. He maintained that video footage clearly indicates them damaging property since the beginning of the game. Conversely Universidad de Chile president Michael Clark expressed indignation at Independiente's irresponsibility and commented that the treatment of his club's fans was cruel. He remarked that when Independiente traveled to Santiago for the first leg of the tie there were no problems.

The CONMEBOL ruling will take a while as Copa Sudamericana doesn't resume for a few weeks. The officials said they must gather all the testimonies and reports before ruling on the punishments. Still, many football experts consider this incident may result in one of the severest punishments in recent years due to the extent of violence and injuries to innocent fans.

Football in South America has long had a reputation for exciting atmospheres but has also had issues with hooliganism. This event has served as a reminder to fans and authorities that measures are still not adequate enough to secure everyone within stadiums. Families who attend to watch the sport are usually in the middle of such trouble. The attack in Buenos Aires has now made many wonder if going to matches is safe.

What should have been an exciting round of 16 match between two well-established clubs now represents all the ugliness in fan violence in football. The pictures of fans covered in blood as they attempted to flee with others injured have left an indelible mark on the sport. Unless firmer measures are introduced by football authorities the likes of this will persist and continue to mar South American football and mar the passion and elegance of the sport.