"A Copa Libertadores match between hosts Independiente Medellin of Colombia and defending champions Flamengo of Brazil was abandoned after home fans set off flares and lit fires in the stands. In just the latest instance of serious crowd trouble in South American football, the referee ordered the players off the field at Atanasio Girardot stadium in Medellin shortly after kickoff on Thursday."
"After about 50 minutes, authorities ordered the evacuation of spectators, and regional body CONMEBOL subsequently announced that the Group A encounter had been called off. Hardcore fans of the home team, some with their faces covered by masks, were protesting against the club's management and owners."
"Jose Boto, sporting director of Rio giants Flamengo, called on CONMEBOL to award the visiting side the three points. The responsibility is not ours; the home team was unable to guarantee security, he said in a video."
A Copa Libertadores Group A match at Atanasio Girardot stadium in Medellin between Independiente Medellin and defending champions Flamengo was abandoned after violence in the stands. Shortly after kickoff, the referee ordered players off the field. About 50 minutes later, authorities ordered the evacuation of spectators. CONMEBOL then called off the encounter. Home fans set off flares and lit fires, with some supporters wearing masks and protesting against the club’s management and owners. Jose Boto, Flamengo’s sporting director, urged CONMEBOL to award Flamengo three points, saying the responsibility was not Flamengo’s because the home team could not guarantee security.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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