A TOP flight clash was abandoned after 1,400 fans invaded the pitch to ATTACK players and coaching staff.
Deportivo Cali, who currently sit rock bottom of the Colombia’s Categoria Primera A table, travelled to the Estadio Doce de Octubre to take on Cortulua on Wednesday.
The home side opened the scoring 20 minutes into the game courtesy of a strike from Wilder Guisao before Feiver Mercado sealed all three points with a penalty.
But, in the 81st minute play was halted as a large group of fans poured out of the stands and onto the pitch.
Around 1,400 people took to the field – most of whom were Deportivo Cali fans – and began verbally and physically abusing players and staff.
The referee and the majority of the players fled the scene while some got caught in the crossfire.
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Deportivo Cali striker Teofilo Gutierrez struggled to get away as a group of furious supporters punched and kicked him.
Manager Mayer Candelo was also injured during the attacks.
Deportivo Cali have since released an official statement to request that the local authorities intervene to prevent a similar incident from happening again in future.
It read: “The Cali Sports Association, Executive Committee, President Luis Fernando Mena, Professional Staff, Officials and employees emphatically reject the aggression, harassment and violence suffered by our team during the match against Cortulua.
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“It clearly condemns any violent act against our players and coaching staff.
“We respectfully ask the government and sports authorities to intervene to avoid a tragedy in the future that mourns our sport.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
