Violent clashes between supporters at the Colombia Cup final left 59 individuals injured on Wednesday evening in Medellin.
The disorder erupted at Estadio Atanasio Girardot following Atletico Nacional’s narrow 1-0 triumph over city rivals Deportivo Independiente Medellin in the second leg of the competition.
Among those hurt were seven members of the police force who had been deployed to maintain order at the venue.
The two clubs share the stadium as their home ground, adding to the local derby fixture.
Riot officers were called in to regain control after spectators stormed onto the playing surface following the final whistle.
Many of those who invaded the pitch were carrying flares and fireworks, which were set off during the chaos.
The stadium sustained considerable damage during the disturbance, according to local newspaper El Colombiano.
Supporters tore out seating and turnstiles.
Violent clashes between supporters at the Colombia Cup final left 59 individuals injured on Wednesday evening in Medellin
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Patches of the playing surface were also left scorched by the pyrotechnics.
The trouble began before kick-off, with the match starting 14 minutes late due to smoke from fireworks in the stands, which restricted visibility across the ground.
Medellin’s mayor, Federico Gutierrez, issued a stern rebuke of those responsible.
He described them as “misfits who only seek to generate violence” and promised that perpetrators would face the full weight of the law.
The disorder erupted at Estadio Atanasio Girardot following Atletico Nacional’s narrow 1-0 triumph over city rivals Deportivo Independiente Medellin
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He said: “Anyone who went to the stadium to attack, destroy or incite fear will be held accountable under law. We will not allow a few to damage what belongs to everyone.
“For years we’ve been a beacon of peaceful football in our country and throughout Latin America.”
Police commander William Castano revealed to Colombian news channel Teleantioquia that officers had confiscated weapons alongside the flares and fireworks, recovering more than 120kg of pyrotechnic material from those attending.
He explained that a graduated application of force had been necessary to prevent supporters from storming the pitch and to safeguard those in attendance.
Mayor of Medellin Federico Gutierrez speaks during a press conference, showing some of those involved in the clashes
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Manuel Villa, the city’s security secretary, defended the authorities’ preparations.
He told the broadcaster: “Here, security did not fail; what failed was the behaviour of those who chose violence.”
The violence proved particularly embarrassing for officials, who had specifically permitted supporters of both teams to attend in an effort to promote peaceful football.
This approach departed from Colombia’s usual practice of barring away fans from major fixtures.
