Copa Bolivia match results in 17 red cards, police use tear gas

A football match in Bolivia was marred by violence, with as many as 17 red cards given and police resorting to tear gas to quell the chaos that followed. A major scuffle broke out between Bolivian teams Blooming and Real Oruro in the quarter-finals of the Copa Bolivia, with Blooming advancing despite this being an away draw.

Reports indicate that Oruro’s Sebastin Zeballos and Julio Vila were involved in a physical altercation with the opposition team. Coach Marcelo Robledo also reportedly confronted a member of the national team’s coaching contingent. As the scuffle turned ugly, police officers had to intervene with tear gas to bring the situation under control.

The official match score sheet showed that seven Blooming players were sent off, while Oruro lost four. Members of the coaching staff were also dismissed, bringing the total number of red players to 17. A number of players also risk a suspension.

Strangely enough, Zeballos was not admonished, despite being the instigator of the quarrel.

Published on November 28, 2025