A Copa Libertadores group stage match between Colombia's Independiente Medellin and defending champions Flamengo of Brazil was abandoned after home fans set off flares and lit fires in the stands at Atanasio Girardot stadium in Medellin on Thursday.

The referee ordered players off the field shortly after kickoff. Approximately 50 minutes later, authorities ordered the evacuation of spectators, and CONMEBOL subsequently announced the cancellation of the Group A encounter.

Hardcore fans of the home team, some masked, were protesting against the club's management and owners. This is the latest in a series of serious crowd disturbances in South American football.

Flamengo's sporting director Jose Boto called on CONMEBOL to award the visiting side the three points. "The responsibility is not ours; the home team was unable to guarantee security," he said in a video.

Source: www.aljazeera.com