The Copa Sudamericana round-of-16 match between River Plate and Independiente Santa Fe, originally scheduled for Wednesday in Bogotá, has been officially postponed by CONMEBOL following a powerful earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday, according to reports from regional sports outlets including Olé and TyC Sports.
CONMEBOL Announces Postponement and Expresses Solidarity
Governing body CONMEBOL confirmed the match’s suspension through a public statement on social media channels, citing exceptional circumstances and a commitment to public safety. According to reports from Sitio Andino, the organization formally stated its deepest solidarity with the Colombian people following the disaster, noting that matches across affected areas are temporarily halted to respect victims and ensure security.
The postponement impacts not only the fixture between Argentina’s River Plate and Colombia’s Independiente Santa Fe, but also affects other continental commitments, including a match featuring Deportes Tolima against Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle, as detailed by Sitio Andino.
Earthquake Details and Impact in Bogotá
The seismic event struck Colombia on Monday morning, with seismological bodies registering a magnitude between 7.4 and 7.5. According to international reports cited by Sitio Andino, the epicenter was located in San José del Palmar within the Chocó department, though the tremor was felt intensely across multiple regions, including the nation’s capital.
In Bogotá, where River Plate was scheduled to play at 9:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, emergency alarms triggered evacuations as residents left buildings for safety. Media reports indicate that the emergency response across affected cities created a situation that rendered international sporting fixtures unfeasible in the immediate aftermath.
Athletic Context and Rescheduling Outlook
For River Plate, the postponement halts a planned trip to Colombia during a turbulent stretch for the squad. According to coverage from Mejor Informado, the team managed by Eduardo “Chacho” Coudet entered the fixture following a 1-0 defeat against Tigre in Victoria, alongside a run of six consecutive losses in the Argentine Professional Football League’s Torneo Clausura 2026.
CONMEBOL has announced that it will evaluate alternative dates and times to reschedule the first-leg encounter. River Plate’s technical staff and management must now adjust their upcoming training schedules and domestic commitments while awaiting formal confirmation from South American soccer authorities regarding the new matchday.
Next Steps and Official Updates
CONMEBOL is expected to release a revised calendar for the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 once local infrastructure assessments and safety evaluations conclude across Colombia. Fans and club members can monitor official CONMEBOL and club channels for upcoming announcements regarding ticket validity, rescheduled dates, and travel logistics.
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