Two football fans aged 13 and 18 died on Thursday night during a stampede prior to a Copa Libertadores match in Chile. The game between home team Colo Colo and Brazil’s Fortaleza was later suspended as several members of the club’s barrabrava invaded the pitch.

The incidents at the Monumental stadium in Chile’s capital of Santiago began when a set of fans attempted to enter the stadium to see the game without a ticket. 

Francisco Lanas, the district attorney in charge of the investigation, confirmed that the police intervened, using a gas-launcher truck to stop the crowd. This caused a stampede, resulting in the death of the two fans and injuries to several others.

“One of the contention fences collapsed and crushed the two young fans,” said Lanas. He added that all potential causes are being investigated and that the truck driver has been detained, although he is yet to be charged.

One of the fans was pronounced dead on the spot, while the other passed away at a local clinic.

The game nonetheless started but was interrupted at the 69th minute. Part of Colo Colo’s barrabrava, the violent organized club fan group, broke one of the acrylic barriers separating the pitch from the stands and entered the field. According to Chilean news outlets, they did this after learning of the two fans’ passing, with the goal of stopping the game.

The match was instantly paused and suspended shortly after.

Pain and outrage

The Chilean Football Association (ANFP, for its Spanish initials) released a statement lamenting the death of the two fans.

“The ANFP expresses its categorical rejection and condemnation of any act of violence in the context of football, both on and off the field,” read the communiqué. They went on to ask authorities to summon all parties involved to work on legislative measures to address “a national problem.” 

“It’s time for the National Fan Registry to become a law. We cannot wait any longer,” they wrote. The registry was implemented in 2024 and requires all fans over 14 attending specific listed games to register with their ID so they can be quickly identified in the case of any violent conduct.

The Chilean government announced that Estadio Seguro program head Pamela Venegas resigned. This state-run operation is in charge of organizing and coordinating safety measures in football stadiums.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he was “deeply saddened” by the events

“On behalf of FIFA and the entire soccer family, I would like to express my condolences to the clubs, CONMEBOL, and the Chilean Football Federation, as well as to the families and loved ones of the victims. May they rest in peace,” he wrote in a post on Instagram. 

Infantino’s words were echoed by Conmebol and the club, who also announced the cancellation of a celebration set to be held on Friday.

The incidents could bring sporting sanctions for Colo Colo. According to the Conmebol rulebook, the disciplinary commission will determine potential sanctions after considering the circumstances and available evidence. If the club is found to have any responsibility in the events, it could face disqualification from the 2025 tournament and future events, as well as economic fines.