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Paraguay Superclásico Suspended After Fan Violence

ESPN Soccer •
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The Paraguayan Superclásico between Olimpia and Cerro Porteño was suspended after 29 minutes due to violent clashes between opposing fans at Defensores del Chaco Stadium in Asunción. Referee Juan Gabriel Benítez halted the match when fighting erupted in the stands, followed by hundreds of fans rushing onto the pitch.

Police responded with rubber bullets and tear gas as violence broke out both inside and outside the stadium. National Police Commander César Silguero reported 11 officers injured and 31 fans arrested. The chaos began when late-arriving Cerro Porteño supporters allegedly tried to enter without tickets, triggering confrontations that quickly escalated.

Cerro Porteño president Blas Reguera condemned the violence, calling it "a sad night for Paraguayan football" and vowing to investigate security failures. TV footage showed panicked spectators fleeing across the field as families sought protection from the chaos. Francisco Ávalos, director of tactical operations, defended police actions as defensive rather than repressive, claiming officers followed established protocols during the volatile situation.