The Theft of a Flag as the Origin of the Chaos

According to TyC Sports, the theft of an Independiente de Avellaneda flag by alleged ultras of Universidad de Chile was reportedly the trigger that unleashed the violent brawl on Wednesday night at the Estadio Libertadores de América. Reports indicate that the clash left more than 200 injured—at least 10 of them in serious condition and one in critical state—as well as over 100 people detained.

Initial versions suggest that the visiting supporters allegedly snatched a flag located near their section. That action, according to the same source, ignited the fury of the Argentine barrabravas and provoked an exchange of attacks that included thrown seats, bottles, flares, stones, and even toilets ripped from the bathrooms.

An Overwhelmed Operation

According to reports, the stadium’s speaker urged Chilean fans to leave the stands to avoid sanctions, but many of them refused and began throwing objects at Independiente supporters. Police, according to multiple sources, were overwhelmed by the magnitude of the confrontation and were unable to contain the violence immediately.

Once the visiting section was partially evacuated, the local barrabravas retaliated by attacking Universidad de Chile supporters, generating dramatic and deeply concerning scenes in Avellaneda.

Reaction From the Pitch

Amid the chaos, one of the protagonists also raised his voice. Felipe Loyola, midfielder for Independiente and the Chilean national team, expressed his outrage on social media:
"A regrettable situation, it’s a shame everything that happened today. This level of violence cannot be tolerated, I feel devastated, and I don’t know where the police security was."

The player added:

"I still can’t believe what I saw today. This is not football, sport is not violence."

A Stain on the Copa Sudamericana

The incidents overshadowed what was supposed to be a Copa Sudamericana night and reignited the debate over stadium security in South America. For now, authorities have not released a definitive report, and investigations are expected to continue in order to clarify responsibilities and sanction those involved.