'One of the most violent chapters in football history'

Universidad de Chile have accused opponents Independiente and the Argentine police of failing to protect their supporters from a "brutal and inhuman beating" that hospitalised 19 supporters.

The Copa Sudamericana last-16 match between the teams was abandoned on Wednesday following violent clashes in the stands in Buenos Aires.

Violence broke out at half-time when objects including a stun grenade were thrown from the away section on to the bottom tier that contained home supporters.

The match was abandoned in the second half, when home fans entered the away section, attacking the visiting supporters and forcing them to flee.

Universidad de Chile say 16 of the 19 supporters hospitalised have been discharged, while a fan in life-threatening condition remains in intensive care but has "significantly improved" after having surgery for a skull fracture.

The Chilean team say the night will be "remembered as one of the most violent chapters in the history of football".

They allege that Independiente fans "entered the visiting section unhindered" and performed "extremely violent and inhuman acts, impossible to detail in this statement due to their brutality".

Universidad de Chile have accused Independiente supporters of attempting to enter the away dressing room to attack their players and said the windows of their bus were smashed.

The club said around 100 of their supporters had been arrested but "not a single attacker" from the home section was detained.

Argentine side Independiente countered the claims, saying the incidents began in the away section before the match and that supporters attacked and disabled the stadium's CCTV system.

They said the visiting supporters "destroyed the restroom facilities" and "launched fireworks" at the home fans, which caused "unacceptable attacks" in response.

Independiente strongly denied claims they failed to follow safety protocols, insisting that the necessary decisions were activated but they were "not enough to contain the excessive violence displayed".

The club said they would ban the "criminals disguised as fans who responded violently to the attacks by the visiting fans" and said they would seek compensation for the "material damages" to their facilities.

They ended their statement by saying: "Violence does not represent us."

Fifa president Gianni Infantino condemned the violence and urged local authorities to punish those responsible.

"Violence has no place in football - players, fans, staff, officials and everyone who enjoys our beautiful game should be able to do so without fear," Infantino wrote on his Instagram page.

"Our thoughts are with all the innocent victims impacted and we expect the relevant authorities to hold those responsible for these barbaric acts to account."

Conmebol, which runs South American major tournaments and who took the decision to abandon the match, said it was cancelled because of a "lack of security guarantees from the local club and the local security authorities".

Buenos Aires provincial security minister Javier Alonso said the decision took too long and that it was "clear that there was a very hostile attitude".