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Scenes of Horror at Paraguay's Biggest Derby: Police Stabbed, Fans Flee Field Amidst Tear Gas
🇭🇷 Croatia /Conflict & Security

Scenes of Horror at Paraguay's Biggest Derby: Police Stabbed, Fans Flee Field Amidst Tear Gas

From Večernji List · (1d ago) Croatian Critical tone

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Paraguayan Superclásico football match between Olimpia and Cerro Porteño was abandoned after 29 minutes due to severe crowd disturbances.
  • Riots erupted between fans and police, leading to the use of tear gas and rubber bullets, forcing spectators to flee onto the field.
  • At least six police officers were injured, and approximately 100 people were detained following the chaotic scenes at the Defensores del Chaco stadium.

The highly anticipated Paraguayan Superclásico, a crucial match for the league title between rivals Olimpia and Cerro Porteño, descended into chaos and was abandoned just 29 minutes into play. The Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asunción, packed with around 40,000 spectators, transformed into a war zone as violent clashes between fans and police escalated, forcing referee Juan Gabriel Benítez to suspend the game with the score at 0-0.

The reaction of the police was fierce and, according to many, indiscriminate. Rubber bullets and tear gas flew towards the stadium, and smoke quickly engulfed a large part of the stands.

— Witness accountDescribing the police response to the fan disturbances during the match.

The disturbances reportedly began in the section allocated to Cerro Porteño supporters, ignited by the detonation of powerful firecrackers. The situation quickly spiraled out of control when fans clashed with police, with one officer's shield being seized and paraded as a trophy. In response, police deployed rubber bullets and tear gas indiscriminately, engulfing the stands in smoke and causing widespread panic. Hundreds of fans, including families with children, sought refuge on the pitch, creating a surreal and distressing scene as players watched in disbelief.

The balance of violence is frightening and testifies to the brutality of the conflict.

— Večernji ListCommenting on the severity of the injuries sustained by police officers.

The aftermath revealed a grim toll: at least six police officers were hospitalized, one in serious condition, with injuries including severe head trauma and possible stab wounds. Police reported detaining around 100 individuals suspected of involvement in the riots, vowing to identify all perpetrators for lifetime bans from sporting events. However, clarity on whether any fans were injured remains elusive, adding to the sense of disarray and organizational failure. This incident casts a dark shadow over Paraguayan football, raising serious questions about security measures and the culture of violence that continues to plague the sport in the region. The usual post-match recriminations have already begun, with club presidents trading accusations and seeking disciplinary action, a familiar script in South American football.

The Paraguayan Superclásico is never just a game.

— Večernji ListReflecting on the intense rivalry and the underlying tensions that often lead to such incidents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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