As many as 125 people arrested? Large-scale mass violence in South American football...Chile Argentina fan clash in Sudamerica or Round of 16, match canceled

Aug 22, 2025

Fans of Lanus cheer for their team aheado of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 second leg all-Argentine football match between Lanus and Central Cordoba at the Ciudad de Lanus Stadium in Lanus, Buenos Aires province, Argentina on August 21, 2025. (Photo by LUIS ROBAYO / AFP)<저작권자(c) Yonhap News, Unauthorized reproduction-Redistribution, prohibition of AI learning and utilization>

Carabineros de Chile stand guard as Universidad de Chile fans gather outside Argentina's embassy after fellow fans were detained in Argentina following clashes with Independiente supporters, during the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 match, . REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza

'A battleground?'

Another large-scale collision occurred in South American soccer, which is suffering from extreme soccer fans.

According to South American media on the 22nd (Korea time), both supporters clashed violently in the round of 16 match of the CONMEBOL Sudamerica or the final tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the 21st.

Iron pipes, clubs, and knives were mobilized in these clashes, and the fences and toilets of the stadium were greatly damaged. Police clashed during the impulse, and the number of rioters arrested reached 125.

The Chilean government announced that 19 of its citizens were injured, one of whom was stabbed and seriously injured. Argentine media also reported that three people were seriously injured in the head.

Universidad de Chile fans protest outside the Argentine embassy in Santiago, Chile, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, a day after clashes broke out between fans of their club and of Argentina's Independiente at a Copa Sudamericana soccer match in Buenos Aires. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

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Detained Universidad de Chile fan is escorted by police after clashes with Independiente supporters during the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 match, which was suspended due to violence in the stands, with the Chilean side leading on aggregate, in Avellaneda, Argentina August 21, 2025. REUTERS/Pedro Lazaro Fernandez

In particular, Chile's President Gabriel Boric is also concerned about diplomatic friction after demanding a fact-finding investigation, describing it as a `unforgivable lynching.'

The crash happened at half-time. Some supporters of the away team Univershida began throwing stones, sticks, bottles and chairs at home supporters. In the process, players, referees, and game officials wrapped their heads around the pitch and took refuge.

This led to bloodshed, with supporters of Indefendiente entering the supporter area of Univershida and wielding violence against the opponent's supporters. One of Univershida's supporters even jumped from the upper level of the stand to escape the violence.

Atletico Mineiro fans are escorted out by police officers during the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 second leg football match between Argentina's Godoy Cruz and Brazil's Atletico Mineiro at the Feliciano Gambarte stadium in Godoy Cruz, Mendoza province, Argentina on August 21, 2025. (Photo by Andres LARROVERE / AFP)

The club's president, Indefendiente, accused Universida supporters of destroying the bathroom and throwing it into the stand. In the end, the game was suspended in a 1-1 situation after 48 minutes.

CONMEBOL said it would `hold accountability with the utmost determination.' Depending on the level of disciplinary action in the future, the two teams are expected to be fined and disqualified.

The Chilean government has sent the interior minister to Buenos Aires for an investigation.

Chile's soccer fans said "The organizers failed to secure safety. "I don't know how to proceed with a game of this magnitude. I don't know how to play on this scale," he said, criticizing the opponent.

On the other hand, Independente supporters pointed out the laxity of stadium security while expressing anger at the decision to place away supporter areas near home supporters.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino called the violence a `barbarism' and called for strict sanctions.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.