Bogota bans soccer-fan gatherings in public spaces

(Photo: El Espectador)

Bogota on Wednesday banned all soccer-fan gatherings in Colombia’s capital after a celebration of the anniversary of Millonarios turned to riots.

The ban followed the arrest of at least 65 football hooligans celebrating the 67th anniversary of the Bogota team. As Tuesday’s celebrations turned in to riots, police reported that four people got injured and elements of city infrastructure destroyed.

Bogota Government Secretary Guillermo Jaramillo, responsible for the capital’s public security, said that fan gatherings are banned from all public spaces “until the club and the fans are committed to respect the city of Bogota.”

“We want a clean game and some fans have respect and tolerance, they can go with the family to enjoy soccer and not vandalize as [they did] yesterday,” Jaramillo was quoted as saying by local radio station Santa Fe.

According to district authorities, Millonarios fans destroyed public property while celebrating their club’s anniversary.

Jaramillo said, “who played the leading part in these violations are under investigation and will be prosecuted.”

Finally, the government secretary stated that “these fans were given the opportunity to show love for the city and a small group created a huge chaos.”

Sources

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