River Plate relegated for the first time in history, fans riot (Video)

Published by adam | Filed under Football (aka soccer), Photos, Video, World News

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River Plate and Belgrano faced off this weekend in a match to determine who would be relegated to the Argentinian second league. As Second Division 4th place Belgrano won 2-0 in the first-leg, River Plate had a mountain to climb to stay in the top tier. Sunday’s second leg 1-1 draw on the 15th anniversary of River Plate’s second Copa Libertadores win saw the giants relegated in a heap of tears and riots. River Plate, with a record 33 league titles was relegated in front of home fans for the first time in their 110-year history. Fans were obviously distraught and the aftermath left at least 89 people injured, 55 arrested and 15 vehicles destroyed in and around the El Monumental stadium.

The 60,000 fans in attendance showed their distaste and the referee did not even allow stoppage time to allow people to leave the mayhem. Riot control used high-powered fire hoses to try and keep fans from jumping the fence and storming the pitch. Players had to dodge a constant barrage of objects while the humiliated River Plate players had to be protected through a human shield as they waited in shame.


River Plate hooligans known as “Los Borrachos del Tablon” (the Drunks in the Stands), cut through the gates in the previous match and on Sunday, tested themselves against 2,200 police, the largest police force to ever patrol an Argentine football match. Fans were seen ransacking concession stands and ripping the covers from seats to use as weapons against police. Outside, cars and trash cans were set ablaze while many shops were vandalized.


Relegation has left the club in turmoil as players, coaches, and staff watch their careers collapse. Coach Juan Jose Lopez quit on Monday. The police will examine and take evidence from the stadium and facilities in preparation for the Copa America, where the final is to be played in the Monumental stadium.


It will be interesting to see how long it takes for River to rejoin the top flight. Considering the club’s financial difficulties and instability, it does not look like that will be happening anytime soon.





Rioting outside the stadium…