Chilean derby postponed after deadly Copa Libertadores stampede

SANTIAGO: The Chilean derby between Universidad de Chile and Colo Colo that was due to take place on Sunday has been postponed after two young fans were killed on Thurday in a stampede at a Copa Libertadores match at the Monumental stadium on Thursday.

Security Minister Luis Cordero confirmed the postponement between Chile’s two most popular teams after a report by the Carabineros – the local police – cited unsafe conditions for Sunday’s match.

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The stampede occurred when home fans tried to enter the Monumental stadium in Santiago before Colo Colo’s Group E Copa Libertadores match against Brazilian side Fortaleza.

The victims, a 13-year-old boy and an 18-year-old female, were crushed by a fence near the stadium.

Colo Colo fans took to the pitch in protest at the deaths, with the game still 0-0 in the second half. South American football’s governing body, CONMEBOL, later cancelled the match.

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A local Supercopa match between Colo Colo and Universidad de Chile in January was also postponed due to security concerns.