The National Professional Football Association (ANFP) postponed the match between Universidad Católica and Audax Italiano, scheduled for Saturday, October 10, at 20:00 at Claro Arena. The cause is the mudslide that hit the San Carlos de Apoquindo area of Las Condes on Thursday.
According to CNN Chile, the fixture was part of matchday 24 of the Liga de Primera Mercado Libre. The ANFP has yet to announce when it will be rescheduled.
In its statement, the organization explained that the bad weather front that affected the Metropolitan Region caused "a severe mudslide in the municipality of Las Condes". The decision was made in coordination with the Metropolitan Presidential Delegation and Cruzados, the corporation that manages UC.
Both parties considered that the emergency "compromises the safety conditions necessary to hold the event". Efforts in the area are focused on cleaning up, removing debris and assisting those affected.
According to Cambio21, the team's stadium suffered no damage. The problem was getting players, fans and staff to San Carlos de Apoquindo, one of the areas hardest hit by the mud.
The emergency escalated quickly. President José Antonio Kast declared a state of catastrophe in the municipality, and classes were suspended this Friday, October 9, at schools in Las Condes and nine other municipalities along the Andean foothills.
The postponement also raises a question about the next major fixture at the venue. The League Cup final between Coquimbo Unido and O'Higgins remains scheduled for Friday, October 16, at 20:30 at Claro Arena, although authorities will assess whether it can go ahead under those conditions.
