Paraguay's league witnesses "riots"

The Paraguayan authorities stopped a football match between the Olimpia team and its host Cerro Porteño, yesterday, Sunday, local time, after a number of people were injured as a result of clashes that took place between fans of the visiting team and the police in the capital, Asunison.

Eyewitnesses reported that the violence broke out due to the explosion of powerful firecrackers that were smuggled into the stands of the Defensores del Chaco stadium designated for Cerro Porteño fans.

One person told a local newspaper that some fans took off a police officer's riot shield and "displayed him as a trophy" to fans in Asuncion.

The police responded by firing rubber bullets and tear gas bombs into the stands, forcing hundreds of spectators to flee onto the field, according to television footage of the incident, which also showed thick smoke covering parts of the stands.

The match, which was held in front of about 40,000 spectators, was canceled 29 minutes after the starting whistle, while the result indicated a goalless draw, and about 100 people were detained.

The local police said in a statement: “Police officers moved immediately to ensure the safety of those present.”

Security forces said that at least six officers were injured, one of them in serious condition, and were taken to hospital.

It was not immediately clear whether any fans were injured.

The injured officers suffered head injuries, lacerations, including possible stab wounds, and other injuries, hospital spokesman David Torrales said.

The police announced that they are working to “identify those who ignited the clash in order to punish them and prevent them from attending sporting events in the future.”

The Paraguayan Football Federation stipulates that a team must forfeit the match if its fans are forced to suspend it.

Rodrigo Nogues, president of Olimpia, said that his club will demand the three points from the disciplinary court of the local federation of the game.

Meanwhile, Blas Riguera, president of Cerro Porteño, said that Olimpia is responsible for the security of the stadium, noting that it is the club organizing the match.

Olimpia leads the league standings with 40 points, 6 points ahead of its direct chaser, Ciro Porteño, after 17 stages.