Police fire rubber bullets after Nacional win at the Campeón del Siglo
At Montevideo’s Campeón del Siglo stadium, Nacional clinched a 1‑0 victory over Peñarol in the Torneo Clausura thanks to Francisco Calvo’s goal, but the celebration turned chaotic when referee Gustavo Tejera blew the final whistle and clashes erupted in the Cataldi Tribune.
Clash erupts in Cataldi Tribune
The trouble began in the Cataldi Tribune, one of the Peñarol stadium’s main stands. Fans and police clashed as objects – bottles, stones, metal pipes and lighters – were hurled, and fireworks were launched toward the officers.
Police deploy rubber bullets and pepper spray
Police units, initially protected by shields and later backed by a truck, responded with GOMA and GAS PIMIENTA to contain the violent crowd. Horse‑mounted officers arrived as the situation escalated, reinforcing the line. Police reports referenced GOMA, GAS, PIMIENTA, DE, LOS and La.
Some supporters managed to push through the gates and head toward the police sector, but they were quickly corralled and forced back into the Campeón del Siglo arena. The only exits that remained open were those serving the Damiani and Henderson stands.
Although Nacional, known as the “Bolso”, secured the Torneo Clausura win, the post‑match chaos has cast a shadow over Uruguayan football. The club's supporters were left stunned as the police cordoned off the area. Authorities have yet to determine what triggered the flare‑up, and investigations are ongoing.
The Republican Guard had been positioned behind the stadium gates, tasked with preventing supporters from breaching the perimeter. Their presence was intended to keep fans within the designated exits, namely the Damiani and Henderson sections, while the rest of the arena remained sealed off.
Referee Gustavo Tejera’s final whistle marked the end of play but also the start of the disturbance. Police reports indicate that LOS (the local supporters) were involved in the projectile attacks, prompting the use of non‑lethal force.
The confrontations lasted several minutes, during which police repeatedly fired rubber bullets and sprayed pepper spray to disperse the crowd, before finally regaining control of the Tribuna Cataldi.
The incident has prompted the Uruguayan Football Association to review security protocols for future derbies, with officials warning that any repeat could lead to stricter sanctions for clubs.