Classic confrontation between Colo Colo and the University of Chile results in 38 arrests

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SANTIAGO.- A total of 38 people were arrested before, during and after the soccer match yesterday between Colo Colo and the University of Chile at the National Stadium. The game had to be called off because of incidents occurring in the University of Chile stands.

Among the arrests, 32 were for offenses disorderly conduct, 2 for robbery, 2 for previous arrest warrants and one for possession of a fake firearm.

The most serious episodes occurred before the match on the corner of the streets Avenida Matta and Vicuña Mackenna, where, according to police, 15 people were taken into custody on charges of public disorder.

Cornel Gustavo Navarrete of Special Forces has indicated that "the final tally includes three injured police officers who were hit with stones; fortunately, none of the injuries are serious".

Among those injured was a Colo Colo fan who was transferred to Salvador Hospital after falling from the second floor of the stadium’s 28th entrance; suffering fractures in both of his wrists and his nose, along with substantial neck trauma.