Chaos Erupts After Copa Bolivia Quarter-Final
A South American cup match descended into unprecedented chaos this week, with a staggering 17 red cards issued following a massive post-match brawl that required police intervention. The Copa Bolivia quarter-final clash between Club Blooming and Real Oruro on Tuesday, 28 November 2025, ended in farcical scenes as tempers flared violently after the final whistle.
From Scuffle to Mass Brawl
The fracas began, according to Bolivian outlet El Potosi, with an initial scuffle involving several Blooming players and Oruro's Sebastian Zeballos and Julio Vila. The altercation spiralled out of control in moments, escalating into a full-scale melee where players were seen throwing punches and kicking each other violently.
The situation worsened when backroom staff from both clubs rushed onto the pitch, including Oruro coach Marcelo Robledo, who became embroiled in the fighting. With order completely lost, a number of police officers were forced to intervene, using pepper spray in a bid to subdue the participants and restore calm.
The Staggering Aftermath and Injuries
The fallout from the brawl was immense. Referee Renan Castillo issued a total of 17 red cards, with 16 of those stemming directly from the post-match violence. Real Oruro had four players sent off, while Club Blooming fared even worse, with seven players dismissed. The remaining six red cards were given to the teams' backroom staff.
The human cost of the violence became clear in the days that followed. Oruro posted a picture on Instagram showing their coach, Marcelo Robledo, in hospital. On Friday, Blooming shared an Instagram video revealing that a member of their security staff had to undergo surgery for a fractured cheekbone sustained during the chaos.
Potential Penalties and Semi-Final Outcome
Both clubs now face the prospect of further severe penalties once the referee's official report is submitted to the Sports Disciplinary Tribunal. Despite the disgraceful scenes, Club Blooming advanced to the semi-finals, having won the tie 4-3 on aggregate after a 2-1 first-leg advantage. They are now set to face last year's Bolivian top-flight champions, Club Bolivar, in the next round, though the shadow of this incident will loom large over their progression.
