Chaos erupted in Paraguay's big derby between Club Olimpia and Cerro Porteño, forcing the match to be abandoned after just 30 minutes of play.
The match, which was still 0-0, was stopped by order of referee Juan Gabriel Benitez, after clashes broke out in the North Stand between Cerro fans and the police.
The police intervened using rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd, which caused panic and difficulty breathing among spectators.
According to the Paraguayan National Police, there are injuries among both officers and fans, but without an exact toll.
The situation worsened when some fans managed to grab a police shield and display it as a symbol of defiance.
The use of tear gas forced many fans onto the pitch to escape the chaos, while Cerro Porteño players, including Juan Iturbe, attempted to help by throwing water bottles into the stands.
Due to the lack of minimal security, the match director at the Paraguayan Football Federation, Michel Sanchez, announced the final postponement of the challenge.
Ambulances, firefighters, and medical teams also responded to the scene to treat the injured.
More than 3,500 police officers were deployed to ensure the security of this confrontation, but the situation spiraled out of control.
At the time of the break, the score remained tied, with Club Olimpia leading the Apertura championship standings with 39 points, ahead of Cerro Porteño with 33 points.
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