Matchday 17 of the BetPlay League will have several important matches for fans and in Colombian football, because two are historical classics between clubs from the same city and another is a duel between giants like América and Junior de Barranquilla, this one will be in Cali.
However, The duel between Atlético Nacional and Medellín was affected by a Dimayor sanctionwhich punished the greens because their fans were protagonists of events that violated the rules of the disciplinary commission, even though it was a visitor’s duel.
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It remains to be known if the entity is flexible in its decision regarding the decision, also remembering that Alfredo Morelos pays a two-week sanction for simulating a foul in Atlético Nacional’s duel against Boyacá Chicó in Tunja, where the other controversial resolution occurred.
The closure of the north stand of the Atanasio Girardot stadium for the next Paisa classic has generated an intense debate in Medellín. Dimayor sanctioned Atlético Nacional with a closing date for that stand, after the improper use of gunpowder by its fans during a match in which the club acted as a visitor.
The measure, which will be applied this October 26 at 6:30 pm, directly impacts the Antioquian classic and, unexpectedly, the Independiente Medellín fans, who usually occupy that northern sector when their team plays as a visitor before the Purslanes.
The sanction has its origin in the events that occurred on October 5, when Nacional fans lit gunpowder in the stands, which caused a delay in the start of the match. The Disciplinary Commission argued the punishment was due to the “improper use of gunpowder by its fans”, holding the green club responsible for the closure of the north stand of the Atanasio Girardot for a certain date. Article 84 of the Dimayor Disciplinary Code establishes that clubs must be responsible for the behavior of their fans, even when they act as visitors.
However, the application of the sanction in the classic paisa has generated discomfort between both fans. Medellín fans will be the ones who will not be able to enter the stadium, despite not having participated in the sanctioned incidentwhich has caused disbelief and annoyance, especially because in recent years the Antioquian classic has established itself as an example of coexistence and respect.
Atlético Nacional’s reaction was immediate. Sebastián Arango Botero, president of the club, expressed his disagreement and announced that they will present the replacement resources to try to reverse or postpone the sanction: “We have the replacement resources and we are going to use them, but I think this requires a little more analysis, because we have defended the classic as a city event and from the Mayor’s Office as an issue of peace.”
The case has revealed gaps in the disciplinary regulations. Although article 84 makes the clubs responsible for their fans, the logistics and control of the entry of prohibited elements, such as gunpowder or flares, fall on the local team, which in this case is exempt from direct responsibility.
This contradiction leaves open questions about to what extent a club can respond for acts of its fans outside its home status and about the role of the party organizer in his field.
It is not the first time that a sanction of this type has generated controversy in Colombian soccer. Last year, during a match between Nacional and Junior at the Atanasio Girardot, incidents involving visiting fans led to a punishment for Nacional for being the local club.
These antecedents reinforce the debate about the logic and justice of disciplinary decisions in the country. Despite these episodes, the Antioquian classic has been recognized in recent years as a model of tolerance, allowing both fans to attend the stadium without major incidents, thanks to the coordination between clubs and authorities.
