Colombian fans threw objects and flares onto the field in a demonstration over the departure of the club’s former president from SAF command
One climate of chaos in the stands postponed the duel between Independent Medellin and Flamengoon Thursday (7), at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium, in Medellín, Colombia. With a minute of the ball rolling, fans started throwing objects and flaresin addition to try to invade the lawn. For safety reasons, both teams went to the dressing rooms quickly, after five minutes.
The main target of the Medellín fans’ protest is against the former president and majority member of the club’s SAF, Raul Giraldo. After elimination in the Colombian league, the manager insulted fans of the club itself, making “money” signs.
After the episode, Raúl Giraldo resigned as presidentbut remained in command of the SAF. The fans want him out of everything. The team finished the competition in 11th place and will not compete in any South American competition in 2027.
After 35 minutes of stoppage, Conmebol announced, through the stadium’s sound system, that the duel was suspendeduntil the fans of the “Northern Resistance”, the precursor of the protest, were removed. After much waiting, 90 minuteswith the confusion still going on between fans and police, the confrontation was definitely canceled. The case will now be forwarded to the Court of Justice and Flamengo will certainly be considered the winner.
In the dressing rooms, Flamengo players took care of reassure family and fans. Midfielder Jorginho used his social media profile to show the mood in the dressing room. He appears alongside Everton Cebolinha, Ayrton Lucas, Luiz Araújo, Léo Ortiz and Léo Pereira: “We are fine and waiting”.
