In an official statement, the Avellaneda club stated that it had complied with all preventive measures and held both visiting and local groups responsible for the disturbances
Independiente released its version after the night of violence experienced at the Libertadores de América-Ricardo Enrique Bochini stadium, where the incidents forced the suspension of the match against Universidad de Chile for the Copa Sudamericana. In an official statement, the institution condemned the events and defended the organization of the security operation.
According to the released statement, the disturbances "began in the visiting section," although the club itself acknowledged that there were later "unacceptable assaults by local groups."
Según Independiente, los hinchas chilenos empezaron los incidentes
In this regard, the management emphasized that "for this match, we worked together with CONMEBOL, A.Pre.Vi.De, Buenos Aires Police, and Carabineros de Chile, providing an operation that fully complied with current regulations and with the requirements stipulated for this type of competition. However, it was not enough to contain the excessive violence."
Additionally, it was reported that president Néstor Grindetti and the club's general secretary traveled to Paraguay to represent Independiente before CONMEBOL, where the sporting future of the series will be decided: "The President and the General Secretary of the Club are on their way to Paraguay to work on behalf of Club Atlético Independiente before CONMEBOL and to solve the sporting implications."
Grindetti viajó a Paraguay
In its defense, El Rojo stressed that "once the incidents began, it activated security protocols, coordinated with the authorities present and with the tournament organization, and provided medical assistance to the injured individuals in full compliance with the CONMEBOL Manual."
Finally, the club made its position clear regarding those responsible: "The club will work tirelessly so that each individual responsible is identified and sanctioned, requesting the application of the right of admission to the criminals disguised as fans who replied with violence to the aggression from the visiting supporters."
With this statement, Independiente sought to establish institutional distance from the serious events that occurred in Avellaneda, meanwhile awaiting a disciplinary resolution that could include severe sporting and financial sanctions.
