Medellín, Colombia – Football in Colombia suffered a tragic blow as violence erupted during the highly anticipated match between Atlético Nacional and Junior de Barranquilla. The northern stands of Atanasio Girardot Stadium became a battleground, forcing the game to be suspended as chaos and fear gripped the spectators. The Colombian Association of Professional Footballers (Acolfutpro) has since issued a powerful plea, demanding an end to permissiveness toward violence in football, asking, “How long must we tolerate this?”
Footballers and Fans Call for Urgent Action
The scene was meant to be one of passion and competition, but instead, it became a dangerous clash that harmed the very soul of Colombian football. “Football should be about unity, joy, and respect,” read the official statement from Acolfutpro, condemning the violence that stained the sport during the Nacional vs. Junior match.
Acolfutpro‘s message was clear: “We must no longer turn a blind eye to those who bring violence into the stadiums. The safety of players, families, and fans is non-negotiable.” Their call extends beyond words, as they urge clubs and local authorities to enforce stricter entry controls and ban weapons from entering the stadium. The association also proposed measures that ban visiting supporter groups from attending high-risk games, hoping to prevent future incidents from turning violent.
Justice and Accountability for Stadium Violence
Football may be a game, but the stakes of safety and security are deadly serious. The events at Atanasio Girardot Stadium prompted Acolfutpro to ask the Fiscalía General de la Nación to investigate the violence that left several people injured and traumatized. Those who brought harm with weapons must face consequences, and Acolfutpro insists that once identified, they be permanently banned from attending any football match in Colombia.
“We call for justice,” their statement reads, “but we also call for prevention.” This is not only about punishing the guilty—it’s about ensuring that such scenes never darken the sport again.
Proposed Solutions to Protect Colombian Football
Acolfutpro is not standing by waiting for change. They have recommended several actionable solutions to eradicate violence from the Colombian football scene:
- Ban visiting fan groups from high-risk matches to prevent violent clashes between rival fans.
- Strengthen stadium entry controls, ensuring no weapons or dangerous items can enter the grounds.
- Implement the National Validation System through digital tickets and facial recognition technology, as laid out by Decree 1622 of 2022.
- Increase penalties for those who incite or participate in stadium violence, including permanent bans under Law 1445 of 2011.
These steps aren’t merely reactive—they aim to rebuild trust in a sport beloved by millions across Colombia. Football cannot continue while fear shadows the stands and threatens to spoil the joy of the game.
A Future Free From Violence: The Call for Unity
This isn’t just about Atlético Nacional or Junior de Barranquilla. It’s about the future of football in Colombia, about protecting the millions who view the sport as a source of hope, passion, and unity. Football is more than just a game; it is a symbol of togetherness. Acolfutpro has urged everyone—from footballers to fans—to work together in ridding the sport of its violent elements.
“Football was not meant for this,” the statement concluded. “Football was meant to unite, to inspire, to be a beacon of pride. Together, we can bring back that joy.”
