Violence during a match, whether from a player or staff member, would be punished swiftly
En el fútbol, como en la vida, los momentos de tensión revelan el carácter de quienes participan en ellos. Lo que debió ser el cierre de un Clásico entre Católica y Colo Colo el 24 de mayo derivó en una riña colectiva que, semanas después, el Tribunal de Disciplina de la ANFP resolvió con sanciones firmes e inapelables para cuatro jugadores y un integrante del cuerpo técnico. La institución envió un mensaje inequívoco: la violencia dentro del campo, venga de quien venga, tiene consecuencias.
- Un triunfo 2-1 de Colo Colo se convirtió en escándalo cuando el pitazo final desató golpes, empujones y agresiones mutuas entre jugadores de ambos planteles.
- El árbitro José Cabero identificó a cuatro protagonistas del altercado, y las cámaras captaron además a un kinesiólogo lanzando una botella de agua hacia los rivales, escalando el caos.
- El Tribunal de Disciplina de la ANFP revisó el informe arbitral, registros de video y los descargos de ambos clubes para construir un veredicto sin margen de apelación.
- El portero Bernedo y el kinesiólogo Díaz recibieron las sanciones más duras —tres partidos cada uno—, mientras Méndez y Sosa se perdieron dos fechas y González solo una.
- Las resoluciones son definitivas: ningún club puede recurrir, y el tribunal dejó en claro que la violencia en el fútbol profesional chileno será castigada con rapidez y firmeza.
El Clásico del 24 de mayo entre Católica y Colo Colo terminó 2-1 a favor del equipo albo en el Claro Arena, pero el resultado deportivo quedó opacado por una pelea generalizada al final del partido, con golpes y empujones entre jugadores de ambos lados. El árbitro José Cabero señaló a cuatro futbolistas como principales responsables: Vicente Bernedo y Daniel González por Católica, y Javier Méndez y Joaquín Sosa por Colo Colo.
El martes, el Tribunal de Disciplina de la ANFP emitió sus fallos inapelables. Bernedo fue el más castigado con tres partidos de suspensión; González recibió solo uno; y los dos jugadores de Colo Colo, dos fechas cada uno. La sanción más llamativa fuera del campo recayó sobre Javier Díaz, kinesiólogo colocolino, quien también fue suspendido tres partidos tras quedar registrado en video lanzando una botella de agua hacia los jugadores de Católica, un gesto que el tribunal consideró de igual gravedad que la conducta del portero.
Alexandro Musa, secretario del tribunal, explicó que el proceso incluyó el informe del árbitro, imágenes desde distintos ángulos y los descargos presentados por ambos clubes. Con todo ese material sobre la mesa, los fallos se dictaron de forma definitiva, subrayando que la violencia en el fútbol profesional —ya sea de un jugador o de un miembro del cuerpo técnico— no quedará sin respuesta.
The aftermath of the Católica-Colo Colo Classic arrived in the form of four suspensions and a fifth sanction, handed down on Tuesday by the ANFP's Disciplinary Court. The decisions were final and could not be appealed.
On May 24, Colo Colo had beaten Católica 2-1 at the Claro Arena. What should have ended with a handshake instead erupted into a full-scale brawl involving punches, shoves, and mutual aggression among players from both sides. Referee José Cabero identified four men as the primary instigators: Vicente Bernedo and Daniel González from Católica, and Javier Méndez and Joaquín Sosa from Colo Colo. All four were summoned to the ANFP headquarters to face the tribunal.
Bernedo, Católica's goalkeeper, received the harshest punishment: a three-match suspension. González, a defender for the same club, was suspended for just one game. The two Colo Colo players—Méndez and Sosa—each drew two-game bans for their roles in the altercation.
But the disciplinary reach extended beyond the field. Javier Díaz, a physiotherapist on Colo Colo's staff, was also sanctioned with a three-game suspension. Video evidence captured him actively encouraging the fight by hurling a water bottle toward Católica's players. His actions crossed a line that the tribunal deemed serious enough to warrant the same penalty as the goalkeeper's.
Alexandro Musa, secretary of the ANFP's Disciplinary Court, outlined the process used to determine guilt and punishment. The tribunal reviewed the referee's official report—the foundation of any such case—along with video footage from multiple angles. Both clubs had submitted their own evidence and mounted defenses for their players. All of this material was weighed before the final verdicts were issued. The court's message was clear: violence during a match, whether from a player or a staff member, would be punished swiftly and without recourse.
Notable Quotes
The tribunal reviewed the referee's official report, video footage from multiple angles, evidence submitted by both clubs, and defenses mounted by the players before issuing verdicts.— Alejandro Musa, secretary of the ANFP Disciplinary Court
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does a water bottle thrown by a staff member carry the same weight as a goalkeeper's direct involvement in the fight?
Because intent matters to the tribunal. Bernedo was caught up in the moment; Díaz deliberately escalated it. That distinction—between participating and actively fueling—seems to have registered equally in their eyes.
Three games is a significant suspension for a goalkeeper. How does that affect Católica's season?
It removes their primary shot-stopper for a quarter of their remaining fixtures. In a tight league, that's real damage. González's one-game ban is almost symbolic by comparison.
The tribunal said these decisions are non-appealable. What does that mean for the players?
It means they absorb the punishment without recourse. No further argument, no higher court. The tribunal has spoken, and that's final.
Did the referee's report seem to capture the full picture, or was video evidence necessary to fill gaps?
The report was the starting point, but video was essential. You can't always see everything in real time on the field. The footage likely showed angles the referee missed—who threw the first punch, who escalated, who was defending versus attacking.
What does this say about the state of the Classic rivalry?
That it's still volatile enough to boil over. These are the two biggest clubs in Chile, and the intensity runs deep. But the tribunal's swift action sends a message: you can be rivals without becoming violent.