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CONMEBOL Cancels MedellínFlamengo Match After Three Minutes of Fan Unrest

Tournament rules point to a likely 3-0 award to Flamengo pending a disciplinary review.

Soccer Football - Copa Libertadores - Group A - Independiente Medellin v Flamengo - Estadio Atanasio Girardot, Medellin, Colombia - May 7, 2026 Independiente Medellin fans protest in the stands as the match is abandoned REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez
Medellin fans set a fire in the stands during the Copa Libertadores group match between Independiente Medellin and Flamengo

Overview

  • The Group A game in Medellín, which stopped inside three minutes Thursday, was called off after home fans lit flares and hurled objects onto the field.
  • Referee Jesús Valenzuela sent both teams to the locker rooms as police and security moved in and small fires burned in the stands.
  • CONMEBOL’s code grants a 3-0 win to the non-offending side if the host is blamed, and Flamengo director José Boto said he expects the three points.
  • Flamengo midfielder Jorginho posted from the dressing room that the squad was safe and waiting, sharing a photo with several teammates.
  • The unrest formed part of an organized protest against Independiente Medellín’s leadership after poor league results, and the case now goes to CONMEBOL’s Disciplinary Committee for possible sanctions.