At least 80 injured at brawl at soccer match in Colombia
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:29 am
COLOMBIAN CITY OF CALI
At least 80 injured at brawl at football match in Colombia
03/09/2008
Clashes broke out between backers of Deportivo Cali and America de Cali and spread onto the field and around the stadium after America protested referee's decision not to call a penalty kick against Cali.
A football stadium brawl between fans of two hometown rival teams left at least 80 people injured, 10 seriously, in the Colombian city of Cali late on Saturday, a Red Cross official said.
Clashes broke out between backers of Deportivo Cali and America de Cali in the 82nd minute of the match and spread onto the field and around the Pascual Guerrero stadium.
Brawlers lit flares and police fired tear gas to try to control the crowds.
At least 80 people were injured, including three officers who were wounded by members of America's "Red Baron" fan club, the Red Cross said.
Several people who suffered stab wounds and other injuries were treated on the pitch and then taken to a hospital.
A pregnant woman was among the wounded, the Red Cross director told Colombian broadcasters.
"To me it is regrettable what the vandals from the South are doing. They are ruining this event," said Rafael Romero, a fan.
Penalty kick
The violence erupted after America protested referee Wilman Roldan's decision not to call a penalty kick against Cali.
"This is the referee's fault. This is what happens when a referee does not do a good job," said Augusto Figueroa, another fan outside the stadium.
Players traded blows and America coach Diego Edison Umana also got into the fray, punching his Cali counterpart Daniel Carreno.
The chaos led Roldan to whistle an early end to the match, which Deportivo won 1-0 on a goal from defender Freddy Hurtado.
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Violence is everywhere in Colombia. But this is not the first time something like this happens in a soccer match. Argentina has seen a few similar episodes.
At least 80 injured at brawl at football match in Colombia
03/09/2008
Clashes broke out between backers of Deportivo Cali and America de Cali and spread onto the field and around the stadium after America protested referee's decision not to call a penalty kick against Cali.
A football stadium brawl between fans of two hometown rival teams left at least 80 people injured, 10 seriously, in the Colombian city of Cali late on Saturday, a Red Cross official said.
Clashes broke out between backers of Deportivo Cali and America de Cali in the 82nd minute of the match and spread onto the field and around the Pascual Guerrero stadium.
Brawlers lit flares and police fired tear gas to try to control the crowds.
At least 80 people were injured, including three officers who were wounded by members of America's "Red Baron" fan club, the Red Cross said.
Several people who suffered stab wounds and other injuries were treated on the pitch and then taken to a hospital.
A pregnant woman was among the wounded, the Red Cross director told Colombian broadcasters.
"To me it is regrettable what the vandals from the South are doing. They are ruining this event," said Rafael Romero, a fan.
Penalty kick
The violence erupted after America protested referee Wilman Roldan's decision not to call a penalty kick against Cali.
"This is the referee's fault. This is what happens when a referee does not do a good job," said Augusto Figueroa, another fan outside the stadium.
Players traded blows and America coach Diego Edison Umana also got into the fray, punching his Cali counterpart Daniel Carreno.
The chaos led Roldan to whistle an early end to the match, which Deportivo won 1-0 on a goal from defender Freddy Hurtado.
___________________________________________
Violence is everywhere in Colombia. But this is not the first time something like this happens in a soccer match. Argentina has seen a few similar episodes.
Other areas that looked bad included eastern Europe and the Netherlands (where they even have a tunnel to the station in one ground to separate home and away fans for one derby!).