Premier League
Colombian quake forces CONMEBOL to suspend Libertadores and Copa
On Monday, a powerful earthquake rattled Colombia, prompting CONMEBOL to halt the round‑of‑16 fixtures of the continent’s premier club tournaments, the Libertadores and the Copa Sul‑Americana, amid concerns for safety and respect for the victims. The seismic shock also disrupted the scheduled clashes between Tolima‑vs‑Independiente del Valle and Santa Fe‑vs‑River Plate, leaving Colombian clubs in limbo.
The round‑of‑16 of South America’s premier club contests was set to showcase Tolima‑vs‑Independiente del Valle and Santa Fe‑vs‑River Plate. Both ties featured the only Colombian representatives still competing in the Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana this season. The matches were slated for this week, with second‑leg fixtures due the following week.
CONMEBOL suspends both competitions
Conmebol announced the immediate suspension of the Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana ties. The decision delayed the two Colombian match‑ups that were due this week in the competition calendar. The organization stressed that the pause applies to all fixtures involving Colombian clubs.
The postponed ties had originally been scheduled for this week, with the second‑leg fixtures planned for the following week. This timetable was part of the standard round‑of‑16 calendar for both tournaments. The abrupt halt means both legs will be rescheduled.
Tolima and Santa Fe are the only Colombian teams still alive in CONMEBOL competitions this season. Their continued presence highlighted the broader impact of the disruption on Colombian football. No other Colombian side remains in the Libertadores or the Copa Sudamericana.
CONMEBOL’s statement read, “At this very difficult time, CONMEBOL sends its affection and support to all of Colombia and, especially, to the great family of Colombian football.” The quote underscored the federation’s solidarity with the nation.
The organization added that the suspension is intended to preserve safety and respect the victims. By pausing the matches, CONMEBOL aims to ensure that any future games can be played under secure conditions.