- Atletico Nacional were beating Atletico Junior 2-0 when the match was stopped
- Away supporters appeared to break into the home section and spark mass fights
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A football match in Colombia had to be suspended after mass violence broke out in the stands, reportedly leaving 20 people injured.
Atletico Nacional and Atletico Junior were in the second half of their Prima A clash when fights between the two sets of fans caused the match to be halted.
After Marino Hinestroza netted to make it 2-0 to the hosts, away supporters appeared to break into the home section.
Once it became clear that a mass brawl had broken out, referee Nolberto Ararat decided to pause the match with 55 minutes on the clock, and it did not restart.
Reports have suggested that several of the 20 fans who had been harmed were taken to medical centres near the Atanasio Girardot Stadium.
Atletico Nacional and Atletico Junior’s match in Colombia was suspended due to crowd fights
Some supporters appeared to use sharp objects such as knives in the horrific brawl
Many of the injured were also treated in the lower tier of the stadium by the Red Cross, according to El Colombiano.
Following the horrific scenes of violence, Medellin’s Secretary of Security, Manuel Villa, chastised the fans involved.
‘Football should be a celebration of peace,’ said Villa. The culture of football is a collective commitment.
‘But if someone doesn’t understand that, they have no place in this celebration: those masquerading as fans who create these situations and act outside the law are not fans, but criminals and should be treated as such. Irresponsible!
‘There will be sanctions, and measures will be taken as necessary.’
Footage of the brawl captured from the stands suggests that one visiting fan wielded a knife on Nacional supporters.
As the chaotic scenes worsened, fans in the area could be seen dashing away from the melee in the upper tier, attempting to make their way down to the stand below.
Riot police were forced to come into the stands in order for the crowds to be dispersed
The brawl even caused some fans to take to the pitch in fear before riot police intervened in an attempt to halt the fights.
Colombian media outlet El Heraldo, have since reported that stun grenades could be heard going off in an attempt to disperse crowds.
The stadium was eventually evacuated by the police with a new date for the fixture unknown at this time.
