The match between Academia and the Chilean team won't be played due to the emergency in the Biobío region
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Racing wasn't able to close its preseason as it had planned. The friendly against Universidad de Chile, scheduled for this Sunday at the Ester Roa stadium in Concepción, was suspended as a result of the forest fires that are severely affecting the Biobío Region.
The decision was communicated by local authorities after the Chilean government decreed a red alert and declared the area a "disaster zone" due to the uncontrolled advance of the fire in sectors such as Penco and Lirquén. According to preliminary figures from the municipality, the fire has already consumed around five thousand hectares and caused the destruction of at least 253 homes, in addition to the evacuation of hundreds of families.
El Gobierno chileno decretó alerta roja y declaró el lugar como "zona de catástrofe"
Although the event had been in doubt beforehand, even with statements that maintained minimal expectations, the rapid spread of the fire forced emergency meetings to be brought forward and led to the definitive suspension of the so-called "International Challenge 2026."
The authorities informed both clubs that the match will not be played because all security resources, including Carabineros, will be allocated to controlling the emergency and assisting the affected population.
The Academia squad was already settled in Concepción and is now speeding up its return to Argentina. Within the delegation, concern has grown over the possibility that the city's airport may also be closed, after the land routes were blocked as part of the preventive measures. There is even an analysis of the implementation of a curfew in the region.
Racing busca volver al país lo antes posible
The clash against Universidad de Chile was going to be Racing's first formal friendly before the start of the 2026 Apertura Tournament. So far, the only preseason test had been a football day in Asunción, where the team faced Sportivo Ameliano, a match that it won 2-1.
Racing's debut in the Apertura
With the friendly against U de Chile ruled out, Academia will have to focus entirely on its debut in the 2026 Apertura Tournament. The first matchday for the team coached by Gustavo Costas will be next Saturday, January 24 at 7:30 p.m. against Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata as the away side.
