Argentine soccer club Independiente has said their disqualification from this year’s Copa Sudamericana was a “political decision” by South American governing body CONMEBOL.
Independiente’s disqualification followed the abandonment of the second leg of their last-16 tie against Universidad de Chile in Buenos Aires last month, with violence in the stands resulting in 22 injuries and more than 100 arrests. The violent clashes included a handgun attack and excrement being thrown.
After that match, Chilean president Gabriel Boric criticised the “evident irresponsibility” of CONMEBOL, as visiting Universidad de Chile supporters were situated in the tier above Independiente home fans.
The matter was referred by CONMEBOL to its Disciplinary Commission, which subsequently disqualified Independiente from the competition, allowing Universidad de Chile to advance to the quarter-final stage to face Peruvian side Alianza Lima.
Independiente was found guilty of breaching several regulations regarding the security of attending public, as well as risk evaluation and safety guarantees.
Independiente’s disqualification is subject to an appeal.
(Alejandro Pagni/AFP via Getty Images)
In addition to Independiente’s exclusion, both clubs had to play each of their next seven home matches in CONMEBOL competitions behind closed doors, while neither club would be allowed fans for their next seven away matches.
CONMEBOL also imposed a $250,000 fine on both clubs, which can be paid through deductions to the club’s television and sponsorship rights.
In the immediate aftermath of the decision, Independiente said: “Football lost, violence won”.
CONMEBOL declined to comment when approached by The Athletic.
Universidad de Chile president Michael Clark said “justice had been served” by the club being allowed to advance, but opposed the decision to ban the club’s fans.
“We feel that declaring us the winners was the right thing to do,” Clark said, who described it as “a miracle” that no fans were killed in the violence. “(The events) were caused by the hosting club’s poor organisation and the lack of guarantees provided by the local authorities.”
Independiente later published a letter, addressed to CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez, stating their “strongest condemnation” of the decision and alleging that the governing body “violating its own statutes” in making the decision.
Compartimos con nuestras socias, socios e hinchas la nota que el Club Atlético Independiente le presentó hoy al Presidente de la CONMEBOL, Alejandro Domínguez. pic.twitter.com/CG4WMGM6mZ
— C. A. Independiente (@Independiente) September 5, 2025
The Argentine club alleged the CONMEBOL ruling was a “political decision” which showed a “preference for private structures through which it is easier to project agreements, business deals, and future profits”.
Independiente said it “represents the essence of South American football… sustained by its members”, while adding that Universidad de Chile had “mutated into a corporate mode which prioritises profitability and business”, alleging that this difference was behind the decision. The club also said that they no longer wished for any of their material to be in the CONMEBOL museum while Dominguez remained as president as he had “abandoned the spirit of South American football”.
Independiente midfielder Ivan Marcone said “acts of violence” from Universidad de Chile fans had been rewarded and the decision was “dangerous for football”.
“We have to see and feel how a group of visiting fans, who came to our stadium with the clear intention of attacking our fans, are surely celebrating today that their acts of violence have resulted in their team’s qualification,” Marcone said, as cited by EFE press agency.
His Independiente team-mate Federico Mancuello called on other clubs from Argentina to publicise their solidarity with the club’s position.
The match was suspended three minutes after half-time with the score 1-1 on the night and Universidad de Chile leading 2-1 on aggregate.
(Top image: Sebastian Nanco/Getty Images)