Fans of Colombia’s Independiente Medellin stand in the stands after the match against Brazil’s Flamengo was temporarily suspended due to crowd unrest during a Copa Libertadores Group A soccer match in Medellin, Colombia, Thursday, May 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
The Copa Libertadores match, South America’s equivalent of the UEFA Champions League, between Brazilian giants CR Flamengo and Colombian side Independiente Medellin, was abandoned just moments after kick-off following chaotic protests from the home team’s supporters inside the stadium. The first group match at Estadio Atanasio Gerardo, also known locally as Gigante de la Montana, descended into chaos after Independiente Medellin fans began throwing objects on the pitch, setting off fireworks and attempting to invade the pitch.According to The Sun, Venezuelan referee Jesus Valenzuela stopped the game with just one minute and 50 seconds remaining before both teams were eventually sent back to the locker rooms. The scenes quickly escalated inside the stadium, with fires breaking out in parts of the stands while security personnel and police tried to prevent a large-scale storming of the stadium behind one of the goals.
The fans protested against the club’s ownership and management
Reports in Colombian media said that the unrest was driven by growing anger among Independiente Medellín supporters towards the club’s ownership and management following the poor performance. The Colombian team was recently defeated at home by Aguilas Doradas with a score of 2-1, a result that eliminated them from the opening qualifiers of the Liga Dimayor.
Liga Dimayor is Colombia’s top domestic football competition, organized by the División Mayor del Fútbol Colombiano, known as Dimayor. The team also fell to 11th place in the Spanish First Division standings during a series of disappointing results.
During the unrest, fans unveiled a banner criticizing the players as well as Demayor, the South American Football Confederation, FIFA, and FIFA.
Fans of Colombia’s Independiente Medellin cheer and turn on lights during a Copa Libertadores Group A soccer match between Independiente Medellin and Brazil’s Flamengo in Medellin, Colombia, Thursday, May 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Security officials reportedly requested that the match be played behind closed doors due to growing tensions among the fanbase, but club officials ultimately rejected the request.
Flames erupted in the stands while reporters were thrown into chaos
The atmosphere inside the stadium became increasingly dangerous as flares and projectiles continued to be fired from the stands. Pictures and footage from the ground showed that a section of the seats caught fire while fans continued to throw objects towards the stadium. ESPN Brazil reported that one of its reporters had his backpack on fire after missiles were thrown into the media area, while a photographer’s pants and equipment were also reported to have caught fire during the unrest.
Security forces were later deployed throughout the stadium as officials attempted to regain control of the situation. After about a 10-minute pause, the stadium announcer ordered fans to leave the stadium before CONMEBOL officially called off the match about an hour after kick-off.
Players of Colombia’s Independiente Medellin and Brazil’s Flamengo stand on the field after the match was temporarily suspended due to crowd unrest during a Copa Libertadores Group A soccer match in Medellin, Colombia, Thursday, May 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Fans’ anger reportedly intensified after club owner Raul Giraldo was seen making obscene gestures towards fans before later announcing his resignation from legal representation duties associated with the club. Protesters have since demanded the removal of the entire administrative structure.
Neither Independiente Medellin nor CONMEBOL immediately issued detailed public comments following the abandonment.
Flamengo expects to win under CONMEBOL rules
Flamengo’s director of football José Boto later said the Brazilian team expected to get the three points under CONMEBOL’s regulations. “The responsibility is not ours, the regulations are clear,” Botto said in a video clip posted on Flamengo’s official social media account. “The home team failed to ensure security.” Under CONMEBOL’s disciplinary code, if a club is deemed responsible for suspending, canceling or canceling a match, the opposing team can be awarded a 3-0 win.
If this ruling is implemented, Flamengo, the Copa Libertadores champion, will expand its lead to the top of Group A and advance by four points over the Argentine team, Estudiantes de La Plata. Independiente Medellin will remain third in the four-team group with four points, having only defeated Peruvian club Cusco so far in the competition.
Flamengo’s squad includes many former Premier League players
Flamengo currently boasts a squad that includes several famous former Premier League players, including Lucas Paqueta, Jorginho, Emerson Royal and Danilo. During the long delay, Jorginho posted a photo from inside Flamengo’s dressing room on X alongside several of his team-mates with the caption: “We’re good and waiting here!”
Flamengo is one of the most successful clubs in the history of South American football, defeating Liverpool 3-0 in the 1981 Intercontinental Cup final thanks to the legendary performance of iconic midfielder Zico.
The latest flashpoint in a turbulent South American football season
The abandoned Copa Libertadores match is the latest major soccer-related incident in South America this year. Last March, the Mineiro final between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro ended in a massive brawl that resulted in the team receiving 23 red cards. Former Porto and Zenit striker Hulk was among the players participating after Cruzeiro’s 1-0 win. Hulk told local media after the clashes: “It is unfortunate, I have never seen violence like this before in any football match.”
