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The National Professional Football Association of Chile (ANFP) will meet urgently today to decide on the launch of fireworks onto the field in the university cup derby that affected the goalkeeper of the University of Chile, amid demands for it to impose an exemplary sanction on Catholic University for the repeated violence of its hooligans.
The incident occurred five minutes into the match, immediately after "the crusaders" forward Fernando Zampedri scored a controversial penalty, equalizing the tie in the quarter-finals.
SEE - Bombs fell near Martín Parra: the goalkeeper of U. de Chile left the field on a stretcher
When the players were heading to the center of the field to resume the match, two sound bombs fell from the stands at the feet of "la U" goalkeeper, who was deafened and lying on the ground amidst smoke and had to be carried off on a stretcher.
He was then transferred to a hospital in the coastal city of Valparaíso, the venue of the match, where he spent the night under observation, without appearing to have serious injuries.
This is yet another violent incident that has occurred in Chilean football this season, despite the stadiums being semi-empty due to the pandemic and the sanctions imposed by the ANFP for the violent behavior of the hooligans, particularly Colo Colo, Católica, and "la U," considered the most aggressive.
Colo Colo, the team with the most supporters in Chile, was sanctioned in May on two occasions by Conmebol with million-dollar fines and closure of the field due to the violent actions of its fans, known for causing avalanches at the stadium gates to try to force them open and enter the stands irregularly.
In this context, and given the deterioration of Chilean football, the media and different organizations around the world are calling for an exemplary sanction for Católica.
Although everything points to the ANFP opting for the resumption of the match behind closed doors, there is an option in the regulations to take extraordinary disciplinary measures" that would allow "la U" to be awarded the victory.
A decision that "would wake up the leadership" about the consequences of not controlling the hooligans, various sports journalists and coaches agreed to say to Efe.
The incident at the Valparaíso stadium coincided with the controversy over the incidents that occurred during the first two concerts by Puerto Rican singer "Daddy Yankee," which highlighted the lack of coordination between the police authorities, responsible for security outside the venues, and the producers and clubs, who as private companies have to maintain security inside.
Likewise, it has brought to light "the gray areas" of the regulation, with companies accusing the police forces and the authorities blaming the organizers for the responsibility.
The repetition of incidents at the second "Daddy Yankee" concert despite the "strengthening of security" announced on Wednesday by the authorities after the first performance, also demonstrates that although the regulations exist, they are interpreted loosely by some companies, who use security firms that do not have enough equipment and training to deal with acts of violence and crime.