A football match between Olimpia and Cerro Porteno in Paraguay was stopped on Sunday after fans fought with police. Several people were hurt.
The game was played at Defensores del Chaco Stadium in the capital, Asuncion. About 40,000 people were watching.
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Witnesses said the trouble started when someone set off very strong firecrackers. These had been brought into the area where Cerro Porteno fans were sitting.
One person told a local newspaper that some fans took a police officer’s shield and showed it off like a prize.
Police then fired rubber bullets and tear gas into the stands. Many fans ran onto the football field. Smoke filled parts of the stadium.
The match was stopped after 29 minutes. About 100 people were arrested.
Police said at least six officers were hurt. One of them was in serious condition. All were taken to the hospital. It is not yet known if any fans were injured.
A hospital spokesperson said the officers had head injuries, cuts, and possible stab wounds.
Police said they are trying to find the people who started the fight. Those people will be banned from future games.
According to the Paraguayan Football Association (APF), a team must lose the match if its own fans cause the game to be stopped.
The president of Olimpia said his club will ask for the three points from the match. The president of Cerro Porteno said Olimpia was responsible for security because they were the home team.
Olimpia is currently first in Paraguay’s top football division. Cerro Porteno is in second place.
