Relegation = violence

[Florida Blue]

One can only hope this happens at the Swamp in 5 years (well not the violence...)

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6706438/river-plate-relegated-argentine-2nd-division-first-time-club-history

Chaos erupts after River Plate relegated

Email
Print
Comments841

Associated Press

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Historic soccer team River Plate was relegated to the Argentine second division for the first time in its 110-year existence Sunday, sparking riots between police and fans with dozens injured inside and outside Monumental Stadium.

The relegation came after a 1-1 draw with Belgrano in the second leg -- Belgrano won the first 2-0 -- of a demotion playoff. Mariano Pavone scored in the sixth minute for River, and Guillermo Farre tied it in 62nd.

Violence broke a minute before the match was over. Angry fans pelted players with objects from the stands, and police replied with high-powered fire hoses with some fans climbing fences topped with razor wire.

[+] EnlargeRiver Plate/Buenos Airies
AP Photo/Ricardo MazalanPolice spray water at River Plate fans to keep them from jumping over the gate onto the field at the end of Sunday's match. River Plate was relegated to the Argentine second division for the first time.

As fans were pounded with jets of water, River Plate's players huddled on the pitch, many in tears, including goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo.

The mayhem quickly spread outside River's 50,000-seat stadium. Alberto Crescenti, head of emergency medical services, said at least 55 people had been injured.

Nilda Garre, the minister for security, said 35 police officers were injured.

"Fortunately, none have their lives at risk," the Argentine news agency DyN reported her saying.

Police used water cannons outside the stadium immediately after the match, hoping to disperse fans quickly. Fans who poured out of the stadium faced police with batons and shields at every exit, while attack dogs were ready and helicopters hovered over the stadium.

The area outside the stadium, located in the leafy northern suburb of Nunez, looked like a war zone with police battling hand to hand with River Plate hooligans, who are known by the colorful nickname "Los Borrachos del Tablon" -- the Drunks in the Stands.

Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas, and brought in mounted units to try to keep order.

Young, angry fans responded by throwing rocks at police, setting fire to rubbish bins and vehicles, and ripping down metal street barriers. Smoke also billowed from one end of the stadium with reports that concession areas and other parts of the stadium had been set on fire.

Fans also ripped up stadium seats and used them as weapons in fights.

A half-dozen ambulances entered the stadium area about 45 minutes after the match ended, with live television coverage showing medics working on the injured while street fights erupted just a few feet away.

As the troublemakers were driven away from the stadium, there were reports of stores and shops being broken into on one of Buenos Aires' most famous thoroughfares -- Avenida Del Libertador.

Fearing this kind of violence, Argentine authorities deployed about 2,200 police -- reported to be the largest security operation for a soccer match -- to control the crowd.

Suggestions to play the match in an empty stadium were turned down by interior ministry officials after consulting with the Argentine Football Association and its president, Julio Grondona.

The violence was predicted. On Wednesday, the first leg in Corboda was stopped for 20 minutes early in the second half after River Plate hooligans ripped through a fence and raced across the field taunting and pushing River Plate players.

The ugly scenes, seen worldwide, came just days before Argentina hosted the Copa America -- the continental championship for national teams -- with the first match on Friday in La Plata, about 35 miles southeast of Buenos Aires.

River Plate's stadium is scheduled to host the final July 24, but that fixture is in doubt. Buenos Aires prosecutor Gustavo Galante said after the match he was moving to close the stadium for 30 days to investigate how many fans were allowed to enter the aging facility.

[Esky]

Classy.

Entertaining that they still went down after the Argentine FA did everything to prevent it happening. Relegation playoffs based on results over the past three seasons? Rubbish.

[BlueinBosnia]

Entertaining that they still went down after the Argentine FA did everything to prevent it happening. Relegation playoffs based on results over the past three seasons? Rubbish.

South American leagues seem to have really strange systems, though. There's a really convoluted method involved in the Brazilian league, too. I guess it's to do with regions, distances, and the money involved.

Also, in case of a tie in the playoff, the team battling relegation stays up, which is a bit harsh.

[john@staustell]

When the Scum got relegated they unleashed an orgy of 70s-style violence on the (then) second division, demolishing streets up and down the land. Proud of it they were.

[dazby]

As a supporter of Newells Old Boys all I have to say is Hahahahaha

[PeterParker]

The thing is serious there. If i were a River player i would had left the country ASAP and terminate my contract in that country, because their lives are in danger.

[Goataldo]

Sounds like an exciting place to live. I bet it doesn't rain much there either.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

If the Scum ever got relegated, don't think their fans would be rioting; the stadium would be virtually empty when the final whistle blew - even after allowing for an excess of 'Fergie time'.

They'd all be busy heading back 'Daahn Sarf' and wondering which team they could switch allegiances to, for the new season.

[BlueinBosnia]

As a supporter of Newells Old Boys all I have to say is Hahahahaha

Does that mean you're an admirer of NOBs?

Snigger.

[simon12]

Thank fuck we`ve never done anything like that..especially in the 80s when by all accounts it was deep and dark ;-)

[dazby]

As a supporter of Newells Old Boys all I have to say is Hahahahaha

Does that mean you're an admirer of NOBs?

Snigger.

yes. Yes it does.

[john@staustell]

Thank fuck we`ve never done anything like that..especially in the 80s when by all accounts it was deep and dark ;-)

It was deep and dark, and I dont think people looked forward to City fans coming to town.

It's impossible to describe now to anyone too young, you can see that by some of the nonsense in the 'bring back standing' threads, but it was a totally different pastime in the 70s and 80s.

[BlueinBosnia]

It's impossible to describe now to anyone too young, you can see that by some of the nonsense in the 'bring back standing' threads, but it was a totally different pastime in the 70s and 80s.

Then again, you could argue that the older people's views are rubbish, because their memories of 'the bad old days' cloud their judgement on the issue.

Not all youngsters only go to watch all-seater games in the Prem, but some go and watch matches in lower divisions (where there's less crowd density, I'm fully aware) or further afield, and see what standing is like in the modern era.