Bolivia: 17 red cards during a football match

The evening was supposed to decide a qualifier for the Copa Bolivia semi-finals. It ultimately turned into one of the darkest episodes in recent Bolivian football. On Tuesday, November 25, in Oruro, the end of the match between Real Oruro and Blooming — concluded with a 2-2 draw, not enough for the home side after their 2-1 loss in the first leg — tipped into uncontrollable violence.

While tension had already risen on both sides in the final minutes, the final whistle acted as a trigger. In moments, the benches emptied, players rushed at each other, and members of the technical staffs joined the fray, making any control impossible.

What was supposed to be just a late-match scuffle turned into a widespread confrontation. Blows were exchanged, some players rolled on the ground in confused fights, while club officials and staff rushed in, further inflaming tensions. Footage shared on social media shows a pitch turned into a battlefield, where security officers and referees desperately tried to separate the protagonists. Overwhelmed, the officials handed out a flurry of sanctions: according to the local press, no fewer than 17 expulsions were issued against players and members of both teams.

Police forced to use tear gas

Faced with the scale of the chaos, law enforcement had to intervene urgently. To disperse the crowd and secure the area, police ultimately used tear gas, causing the pitch to be evacuated hastily. Several people were reportedly injured during the incidents, although the exact toll remains to be determined.

Bolivian disciplinary authorities immediately opened an investigation to shed light on individual and collective responsibilities. Both clubs face heavy sanctions, ranging from mass suspensions to possible fines and exclusions.