Social media platforms were abuzz with scenes of chaos following the Colombian Cup football final, as the long-awaited trophy ceremony turned into riots and violence in the stands after Club Atlético Nacional defeated its historic rival Deportivo Independiente.
These reactions came after a final described as the “historic derby,” as Nacional and Independiente share the same city, lending the encounter a fiercely competitive edge for the championship match, which saw an attendance of around 43,000 spectators amid a heavy security deployment of over 1,000 police officers.
Fans of “the beautiful game” circulated video clips showing crowds storming the pitch and clashes in the stands, sparking a wide wave of commentary that criticized the events and raised questions about stadium safety and the responsibility of the relevant authorities.
Some of those comments were highlighted, with Fadi stating that football stadiums are no longer spaces for joy and sport but have turned, in his words, into “battlefields where a person could lose their life over a game.”
Football stadiums have transformed from sporting venues for spreading joy and happiness into battlefields where a person could lose their life over a game.
Alaa focused on the repercussions of the riot, considering that the most important moment of the tournament—the trophy ceremony—was lost due to what happened, after the organizing bodies were forced to distribute medals and awards without a fan presence.
Because of what happened, medals and awards were distributed without fans, and this is the most important moment of this tournament, the moment both teams play for.
In contrast, Fayyad directed criticism squarely at the police’s actions, pointing to their use of tear gas and violent handling of the crowds, arguing that their duty was to maintain security without contributing to escalating the chaos inside the stadium.
The police fired tear gas and acted brutally towards the crowds. They should have maintained security without inciting chaos.
For his part, Idris called for holding all those involved in the events accountable, whether from the crowds or the security forces, stressing that keeping stadiums safe must be a non-negotiable priority.
All those responsible for what happened, whether from the police or the crowds, must be punished. Stadiums must remain safe.
According to official accounts, the events began immediately after the final whistle and the announcement of Nacional’s victory, as players began celebrating with their fans before supporters breached barriers to take photos, coinciding with a flare being set off in the losing team’s stands, which prompted police intervention.
However, the security intervention failed to contain the situation, as the number of fans overwhelmed the deployed forces, and riots broke out involving the throwing of chairs and sticks, and the exchange of provocations between supporters of both sides in the stands.
The events resulted in injuries to 7 police officers, while 52 people received treatment after being transferred to medical centers. Authorities also announced the seizure of over 120 kilograms of pyrotechnic materials, including flares, rocket launchers, and gunpowder.
