Diego Karachas, former director of the Social Fan Culture Division of the Ministry of Equality, analyzed recent advancements in safety and coexistence in Colombian football. Amid growing concerns over violence in stadiums, the country has shown a remarkable reduction in deaths linked to fan groups.
In a tense context following violent episodes, Karachas presented the results of the Social Fan Culture Observatory, highlighting a historic decline in fatalities. According to his data, in 2025, there were 21 deaths associated with fan groups, a significant reduction from the 51 recorded in 2024, representing almost a 60% decrease. In terms of activities, there was a 41.5% increase in social fan initiatives during the same period.
The report indicates that participation in community activities grew, especially in the participatory aspect, with a 95.7% increase. Groups like Comandos Azules and La Guardia Albi-Roja Sur led this rise in social action. Furthermore, the total number of incidents among fan groups decreased from 180 to 132, equivalent to a decline of 26.7%.
Karachas emphasized that these advancements are not coincidental but are the result of better coordination and greater community involvement. However, he warned that the continuity of resources and initiatives is crucial, as the closure of the Decadal Plan for Safety and Coexistence has left gaps. Despite the achievements in the formalization of fan groups, the former director highlighted the risk of regression if there is no body to coordinate public policies.
In his view, the lack of commitment from clubs to their fans and the absence of preventive programs in various cities, such as Cali and Cartagena, remain significant challenges. Additionally, Karachas spoke against the proposal to prohibit flags and banners in stadiums, arguing that limiting these symbols would only shift violence to other aspects of football folklore.
For the future, Karachas recommended that the current government assess previous policies and design a new approach that includes prevention and sanction initiatives. He called on all sports actors to work together to ensure lives, stressing that saving thirty lives in a year justifies any effort.
Source: www.infobae.com
