A Bolivian Cup match descended into turmoil after a massive fight between players and staff led to 17 dismissals.
Blooming and Real Oruro played out a 2-2 draw in their Copa Bolivia quarter-final encounter.
Because Blooming had earned a 2-1 victory in the first leg, the draw was enough to move them into the semi-finals.
However, the football itself became secondary once emotions boiled over at the final whistle.
A widely circulated video on social media shows players from both sides crowding together in a tense confrontation.
Several participants—including staff—were seen throwing punches amid the shocking scenes.
Police at the stadium had to deploy tear gas to halt the violence.
Per Bolivian outlet El Potosi (via The Sun), the disturbance began when Oruro player Sebastian Zeballos was initially restrained by Blooming players but managed to break free and began shoving opponents.
His teammate Julio Vila also lost his temper and began striking others, further igniting the chaos, according to the report.
Oruro coach Marcelo Robledo confronted an opposing coach and was shoved, causing him to fall backwards.
The situation spiraled, prompting around 20 police officers to step in.
Blooming coach Mauricio Soria eventually led his squad into the dressing room in an attempt to settle things down.
The report indicates Oruro’s frustration stemmed from missing out on the semi-finals, needing only one goal to push the tie to penalties.
The match report notes that referee Renan Castillo sent off seven Blooming players and four from Oruro.
Additional red cards were issued to Robledo, Soria, and several assistants from both teams.
Blooming striker Cesar Menacho had already been dismissed earlier for using offensive language.
Bolivian outlet Vision360 reported that Castillo will forward his account of the match to the Sports Disciplinary Tribunal for further review.
The outlet also stated that Robledo sustained a shoulder injury and a head impact during the brawl, requiring hospitalization.
It further claimed that a Blooming staff member suffered a fractured cheekbone amid the disorder.
