South American football confederation CONMEBOL announced on Thursday that Independiente has been disqualified from the 2025 Copa Sudamericana. The decision comes in the aftermath of a violent brawl that erupted in the second game of the Copa Sudamericana matchup between the Argentine club and Universidad de Chile, which led to two Chilean fans being hospitalized.

According to a statement released on Thursday night, the Argentine club was found guilty of breaching several regulations regarding the security of attending public, as well as risk evaluation and safety guarantees.

In addition to competition disqualification, Independiente fans are banned from attending the next seven international-level games at home and away. CONMEBOL also imposed a US$250,000 fine, which can be paid through deductions to the club’s television and sponsorship rights.

Universidad de Chile did not escape scot-free, as its fans were also banned from the seven next home and away games in international competitions. They managed to dodge disqualification and will match up against Peru’s Alianza Lima in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals.

Both clubs will also have to carry anti-discrimination campaigns for their upcoming games, and received warnings of sterner sanctions if similar incidents happen again.

Independiente made no comments, choosing instead to share an image showing a blood-stained Independiente outfit with the words “Perdió el fútbol, ganaron los violentos” (Football lost, violence won) on social media.

Universidad de Chile released a video of club president Michael Clark saying that “justice had been served” by allowing the Chilean team to remain in the competition, but rejected the banning of fans.

“We feel that declaring us the winners was the right thing to do,” Clark said, calling it “a miracle” that none was killed in the brawl. “[The incidents] were caused by the hosting club’s poor organization and the lack of guarantees provided by the local authorities.”

He went on to lament the decision affecting Universidad de Chile fans. He called their behaviour throughout the competition “exemplary” and said the club will appeal the decision. Clark also announced the club will “continue doing all that is in their power” to sanction the fans who started the altercation with opposing supporters, dismissing them as just “a few delinquents.”

The brawl between Independiente and Universidad de Chile

The brawl broke out during the Copa Sudamericana matchup between the two clubs, the second leg of their round of 16 face-off. Following a narrow 1-0 win by the Chilean team on the first leg at home, the second leg was set to take place at Independiente’s stadium. 

The game was quickly marred by violence as Chilean fans on the second level of the south stand began harassing and throwing objects — including stones and bags filled with excrement — at the Independiente fans sitting right below them.

The match was suspended after a stun grenade was thrown to the area where local fans stood, and Chilean supporters were asked to leave the stadium, but several refused. 

Then, members of the Independiente barrabrava (a violent fans organization) broke into the area assigned to Chilean fans, assaulting and harassing those who remained. Chilean fans were clubbed and forced to strip.

Two Chilean fans were hospitalized as a result of the brawl. While they required surgery, both of them have already been discharged and are currently out of danger.