Football: Colombia Cup Final Violence!
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
It has been reported that fifty-nine people have been injured as a result of violence that broke out between rival fans of Atletico Nacional and Deportivo Independiente Medellin at the Colombia Cup final in Medellin on 17 December 2025.
Fans invaded the pitch after the final whistle, some armed with flares and fireworks, and riot police were deployed to restore order, seven of whom were injured.
Also, serious damage was caused to the stadium, with seats and turnstiles being ripped out and sections of the pitch burned. In fact, the start of the match was delayed by 14 minutes due to poor visibility resulting from pyrotechnics in the stands.
Federico Gutierrez, the Mayor of Medellin, condemned the violence and warned that:
"Anyone who went to the stadium to attack, destroy or incite fear will be held accountable under law.”
And added that:
"For years we've been a beacon of peaceful football in our country and throughout Latin America."
Not, however, on this occasion, which, sadly, revealed the uglier side of the ‘beautiful game’!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
