A fan of Uruguay's Penarol, right, fights with fans of Brazil's Palmeiras at the end of a Copa Libertadores soccer match in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, April 27, 2017. Palmeiras won the match 3-2. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
The Associated Press
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) - Some 30 fans were arrested and 18 police injured in fights at a Copa Libertadores match, Uruguay's Interior Ministry said on Thursday.
The violence seemed to be touched off just after Brazilian club Palmeiras club defeated Uruguay's Penarol 3-2 in Uruguay.
Videos show chaos on the field at the final whistle on Wednesday. Players chased and taunted each other in the absence of much security. Fans in the stands also got into the act.
"It started on the field, and it seemed incongruous that the players asked the fans not to fight when the fights had already started on the field," Interior Minister Eduardo Bonomi said on Thursday.
The ministry said a firearm was taken from at least one policeman, and six police vehicles were damaged.
CONMEBOL did not offer an immediate comment.
CONMEBOL's top officials, at a meeting on Wednesday in Chile, viewed an auditor's report that showed its three presidents from 2000-2015 illegally transferred $128.6 million to personal accounts, suspicious accounts, or unauthorized third-party accounts.
Felipe Melo of Brazil's Palmeiras, second from right, fights with Matias Mier of Uruguay's Penarol at the end a Copa Libertadores soccer match in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, April 26, 2017. Palmeiras won the match 3-2. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
The Associated Press
Fans of Brazil's Palmeiras, left, fight with Uruguay's Penarol fans at the end of a Copa Libertadores soccer match in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, April 27, 2017. Palmeiras won the match 3-2. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
The Associated Press
Brazil's Palmeiras players, front, face to Uruguay's Penarol players at the end of a Copa Libertadores soccer match in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, April 26, 2017. Palmeiras won the match 3-2. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
The Associated Press
Willian, center, of Brazil's Palmeiras is congratulated by teammate Yerry Mina, left, after scoring against Uruguay's Penarol during a Copa Libertadores soccer match in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, April 26, 2017. Palmeiras won the match 3-2. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
The Associated Press