River's coach reacts to the situation in Colombia 0:38
(CNN in Spanish) -
For the second day in a row, the Copa Libertadores matches scheduled in Barranquilla, Colombia, were suspended for a few minutes by tear gas.
Several footballers who participated in a Copa Libertadores soccer match played this Thursday in Barranquilla, Colombia, were affected by the tear gas used in the protests that were taking place in front of the Romelio Martínez stadium, CNN affiliate Cablenoticias reported.
According to Colombian media, the match between América de Cali from Colombia and Atlético Mineiro from Brazil was suspended for nine minutes.
After the resumption of the match, the Brazilian team beat the Colombian squad 3-1.
This Thursday, the Colombian Association of Professional Footballers (Acolfutpro) reported through a statement that they support and join the protests of Colombian citizens.
An assistant helps the players affected by tear gas from the protests held outside the stadium, during the match of the group stage of the Copa Libertadores soccer tournament between América de Cali from Colombia and Atlético Mineiro from Brazil at the Romelio Stadium Martínez in Barranquilla, Colombia.
(Photo by RICARDO MALDONADO ROZO / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
The association asked the Colombian soccer regulators, Dimayor and the Colombian Soccer Federation, not to schedule more league matches until the current public order situation that affects the entire country is resolved and puts the integrity of the teams at risk. local professional footballers.
Until now, neither Dimayor nor the Federation have spoken to Acolfutpro's request.
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The Barranquilla Police press office confirmed to CNN that there were disturbances near the stadium, but that they are under control.
They added that at the end of the day there would be a balance of protests.
On Wednesday, during a Copa Libertadores match between River Plate from Argentina and Junior from Barranquilla from Colombia in the same stadium, the same situation was experienced, with tear gas that entered the Romelio Martínez stadium, due to the demonstrations that were taking place in the streets. nearby, and the game stopped for several minutes.
CNN asked police if they fired the tear gas, but got no response.
Conmebol, the entity that regulates soccer in South America, so far has not commented on the events of both Copa Libertadores matches scheduled in the city of Barranquilla.
Copa Libertadores soccer protests colombia