Match called off: what’s next for Independiente and U de Chile | OneFootball

Possible paths for Conmebol after the suspension due to the very serious incidents in Avellaneda.

After the very serious incidents that have gone around the world, the match between Independiente and Universidad de Chile for the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana was formally "canceled" by Conmebol and both teams, exposed to very strong sanctions.

Although there is still a long way to go in the investigation, first versions to which TyC Sports had access indicate that both clubs could be disqualified from the tournament, in addition to a possible expulsion from the international scene for all of 2026.

At the time of the cancellation, with the 1-1 in the Libertadores de América , the series was 2-1 in favor of the U having won the first leg 1-0 in Santiago. Apparently, it will hardly matter. As a recent precedent, with incidents of similar gravity and two fatalities, this year the cancellation of the game between Colo-Colo and Fortaleza for the Libertadores took place.

At that time, the Cacíque was severely punished by giving them the loss of the match. However, the situation in this case is different because, although the incidents began from the Chilean side, the brutal response from the locals also exposed them.

Officially, the statement was formal and concise. "Due to the lack of security guarantees from the local club and local security authorities, which guarantee the continuation of the match between Independiente (ARG) and Universidad de Chile (CHI) for the Round of 16 of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2025, said match is canceled", they published.

"Taking into account that what is established in the Club Manual for similar situations has been complied with, without the situation being remedied, the cancellation of the match is proceeded with and the case will be referred to the CONMEBOL Judicial Bodies for future determinations", they added.

Independiente, through its president Néstor Grindetti, confirmed to TyC Sports that they will fight not to be sanctioned and demonstrate that everything was the fault of the U - where they already see a strong punishment coming-, although the images speak for themselves.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.