by: John Rodriguez
While soccer isn’t typically America’s most beloved sport, the sport is loved by many internationally. So much so, teams of the sport have such devoted fans that once their ranking within the sport is demoted riots will ensue. This is what happened on Sunday in Buenos Aires, Argentina when the Argentina historical team called River Plate was relegated to the second division for the first time in its active years within the sport.
After the team’s demotion from a 1-1 draw with Belgrano, a violent and maniacal riot broke out when the team lost in the second leg of the demotion game playoff. The lost sparked riots between the police and fans a minute before the match was even declared over. The end result left a dozen people becoming injured outside the monumental stadium located within a northern suburb of Nunez, Argentina. After the riot, the suburb had become a makeshift war zone with police officers trying to bring an end to the rioting.
The riot quickly spread from within the 50,000 seat stadium, and extended outside. Head of Emergency, Alberto Crescenti reported that at least 55 people had been injured during the riot. The minister for security, Nilda Garre reported that a total of 35 police officers had been harmed during the mayhem.
Known for the devote passion for the game, fans are generally referred to as Los Borrachos del Tablon…the Drunks in the Stands. Well, Los Borrachos del Tablon left the stands and took action after the lost. The angrily impassioned fans and struck out against players with objects they could find around them, even ripping and pulling out the seats they once sat upon to hurl at players.
Outside of the stadium, police used fire hoses as water cannons against the angered crowd hoping to disperse the fans quickly. As fans fled from the stadium, they were greeted by baton and shield readied officers at every exit. In an effort to end the riot quickly, Police also fired tear gas and rubber bullets in-which the angry fans responded by throwing rocks at police.
During the melee, some fans even set fire to garbage bins, concession stands, other areas of the station, and vehicles they came across. While the fans were being pelted by high-powered fire hoses, players of River Plate watched the chaos while huddling on the pitch. Many of the players were in tears over the chaos, including goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo.
However, the violence wasn’t entirely unforeseen. Fearing that such mayhem may occur, Argentine authorizes deployed about 2,200 police officers to control the crowd. The estimated number is considered to be the largest security operation for a soccer match. There were even suggestions offered that the match should have been played in an empty stadium, but it was turned down by the Interior Ministry Officials after consulting with the Argentine Football Association and its President Julio Grondona.
While the violence was predicted, it seems the riot on Sunday could have been averted after an incident occurred last Wednesday when the first leg of the match held in Corboda had been stopped 20 minutes earlier after River Plate fans ripped through a fence and raced across the soccer field taunting and physically pushing their River Plate players.
Buenos Aires Prosecutor, Gustavo Galante is moving to have the stadium shut down for 30 days. The prosecutor is planning on leading an investigation to find out how many fans are permitted to be within the aging facility and whether or not the number of attendees was closely watched in accordance to the allotted number.
Although soccer isn’t a primary sport within Northern America, the crazed and impassioned fans show us how a devotion to a sport can result in unsavory before when our favorite team losses, or wins, since this riot in Argentina is closely reminiscent to the recent Canadian riot which occurred several weeks ago and any American riot regarding a world series or championship win. Just shows what team pride—or lack thereof—and an abundance of alcohol can lead to in any part of the world when a beloved sport is watched.
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