Independiente players in a video discussing the ruling
On August 20, 2025, the Libertadores de América-Ricardo Enrique Bochini stadium in Avellaneda hosted one of the darkest and saddest moments in South American football. The second leg match of the Round of 16 of the 2025 CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana between Independiente from Avellaneda and Universidad de Chile ended abruptly in the 48th minute due to serious violent incidents between the fans of both teams. CONMEBOL issued a final ruling on September 4, generating much controversy and debate over the responsibility of the clubs and the sanctions applied.
The match in Avellaneda was marred by violence from the first half. According to various videos, fans of Universidad de Chile, located in the Pavoni Alta stand, started the disturbances by throwing heavy objects such as pieces of masonry, toilets (obtained by destroying the stadium bathrooms), and firecrackers towards Independiente supporters in the lower stand.
After an hour of failed attempts to restore security, CONMEBOL announced the definitive cancellation of the match, citing "the lack of security guarantees from the local club and local authorities".
These acts provoked a violent reaction from the "Rojo" barra brava, which invaded the visiting stand, attacking Chilean fans in scenes that included punches and even stabbings. Viralized videos showed moments of panic, with some Chilean fans jumping into the void to escape the assaults. The incidents resulted in no fatalities, but 19 injuries, two of them serious, and more than 200 arrests.
These acts were condemned by the entire football community, focusing not on the clubs or fans, but on the barras of both teams that participated in the conflict.
On September 4, after days of speculation, the CONMEBOL led by Alejandro Domínguez issued the official ruling: Independiente was eliminated from the 2025 Copa Sudamericana, while Universidad de Chile was declared the winner of the tie and qualifies for the quarter-finals, where they will face Alianza Lima.
The violence witnessed cannot be expressed in words; both barras were responsible for everything. It was a pitched battle and one team is more affected than the other. It is unfair that Universidad de Chile passes when it was their fans who started the disturbances, and it's not the first time this has happened; in their encounter against Estudiantes de La Plata, they also caused problems. It's very sad to see how football has been tainted by the barras and one team continues as if nothing happened, with financial fines and nothing more. So far, Claudio Tapia (president of the AFA) has not spoken in favor of the Argentine club, appearing to be complicit in the unjust ruling.
The decision was based on the responsibility of the local club for not ensuring safety in the stadium, supported by the disciplinary regulations, which allow sanctions such as administrative defeat or disqualification in cases of serious incidents attributable to the organizing club. Additionally, economic sanctions were imposed on both clubs and Independiente and Universidad de Chile were prohibited from taking fans to their next seven matches in continental competitions.
In the words of Argentine journalist Gastón Edul: “It is a scandalous ruling. It sets a dangerous precedent. This ruling will be remembered over the years.”
Hours after the ruling, Club Atlético Independiente issued an official statement rejecting the ruling and stressing that “This resolution is not a legal error of a tribunal: it is a political decision that exposes the preference for those private structures…”, and declared that “They are killing football.”
Within the statement, they demand that “all references to our Institution be removed from the CONMEBOL Museum while you (Alejandro Domínguez, president of CONMEBOL) continue in the presidency.” and that “all elements delivered by Independiente to the CONMEBOL Museum be immediately returned.”
What do you think of the CONMEBOL ruling?
Is it the right decision?
Do you think it's okay for Universidad de Chile to continue in the competition?
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