Santiago (AP) – The Chilean Club Colo Colo said Thursday that he will appeal the sanction that forces him to play five local games in continental competitions without fans, in addition to the veto to his followers in the next five visitor games.
Conmebol, the governing body of South American football, confirmed the sanctions on Wednesday after two adolescent fans died in a stampede before a match of the Copa Libertadores last month.
“It is a very hard sanction, a complex situation, but Colo Colo will make an appeal. It is a complex situation,” said team president Edmundo Valladares.
“We hope you can reverse at least in part and that this experience serves to make institutional improvements and to become aware,” he added. “It is a necessary turning point.”
Two fans died before the start of a match of the Copa Libertadores between Colo Colo and Fortaleza in Brazil near the Monumental Stadium of Santiago on April 10. According to the authorities, a group of fans tried to enter the stadium force and demolished one of the protective fences of the enclosure. The victims were trapped under them, they added.
Conmebol also awarded a 3-0 victory for Fortaleza and that Colo Colo must pay a fine of $ 80,000.
“If the sanction is maintained, it is difficult because it has sports damage if 0-3 is confirmed, then the economic issue hits the play without public international tournaments, but we will present the best possible appeal,” said Valladares said.
Colo Colo, the most laureate Chile club with 32 league championships, is last in its group in the Copa Libertadores after the first three dates.
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Originally Published: May 1, 2025 at 2:38 PM CDT
