Copa Betplay: America vs. Nacional Final Ends in Scandal

This year’s Copa Betplay final between America and Nacional ended in unexpected chaos, leaving a significant mark on Colombian football. Scheduled for Sunday, the final unfolded at Pascual Guerrero Stadium and brought back controversial memories from the previous year’s match.

Copa Betplay Final: A Recap of Events

The match was anticipated as a vibrant showcase of Colombian football; however, it devolved into violence and disorder. The first leg of the final played on October 22, 2023, ended prematurely because of severe disturbances in the stands.

Violent Incident During the Match

• The score was tied at 0-0 when the unrest began in the 84th minute.
• A group of America supporters attempted to breach the field, sparking further chaos.
• Projectiles were thrown, and stadium seats were torn out and hurled onto the pitch.
• This prompted referee Andrés Rojas Ortiz to suspend the match entirely.

Before the disruption, both teams were engaged in a tense game. However, frustration among America fans over the possibility of losing spurred the aggressive behavior that marred the event.

Reactions from Players and Officials

Following the suspension, Nacional’s players took refuge in the stadium’s tunnel. Meanwhile, America’s players remained on the field, sharing a mix of disbelief and sorrow. Captain Adrián Ramos, visibly emotional, expressed his disappointment, saying, “I apologize to the people for not securing this title we desperately wanted.”

A Championship Clouded by Chaos

In the aftermath of the disturbances, Atlétcio Nacional was awarded the title of Copa Colombia champions. This marked their seventh Copa and 34th overall championship. However, no official ceremony took place due to ongoing safety concerns outside the stadium. The police recommended suspending the awards as confrontations persisted around the venue.

Consequences for the Teams

• Both the stadium and América de Cali received penalties for the unrest.
• Mayor of Cali and Dimayor officials decided to impose sanctions due to the security failures.
• Tulio Gómez, major investor in America, claimed the violence was orchestrated by infiltrators, distancing the club from the events.

This dark chapter overshadowed Nacional’s achievement, as celebrations were muted and occurred silently within the visitor’s locker room. The evening at the Pascual Guerrero Stadium became a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within Colombian football.