Rioting fans cause top-division match in Argentina to be abandoned

Posted Monday, March 21, 2011 by theguardian.com

• San Lorenzo fan reported to have died in clashes before match
• Vélez Sársfield's goalkeeper hit by missile thrown from crowd

Rioting fans cause top-division match in Argentina to be abandoned
Supporters of San Lorenzo break the tribune fence during their Argentinian Primera División match against Vélez Sársfield.

Rioting fans caused an Argentinian Primera División match between Vélez Sársfield and San Lorenzo to be abandoned on Sunday amid reports that a fan had died in clashes outside the stadium before the match.

The match at the Estadio José Amalfitani in Buenos Aires was halted when visiting San Lorenzo fans broke down the fencing around the pitch and the Vélez goalkeeper was hit by a missile thrown from the crowd.

The referee, Sergio Pezzota, led the teams off the field and abandoned the match, telling reporters his decision was due to a "lack of security".

Reports said that around 160 San Lorenzo fans clashed with police outside the stadium and that one supporter died from a heart attack. Other versions said the victim had been kicked by a police horse.

The fixture is considered high risk and local authorities have banned the presence of away fans at recent meetings. However, this was lifted for Sunday's game at the request of the two club presidents.

"Obviously we made a mistake and the message is that we can't do this," the Vélez president, Fernando Raffaini, told the Telam news agency. "I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart and there are situations which surprise me and leave me speechless."

Almost three years ago to the day a match between the two at San Lorenzo's stadium was abandoned before kick-off in almost identical circumstances.

A 21-year-old Vélez fan was shot dead on his way to the game and, when the club's supporters heard the news in the stadium, they broke down the fencing and invaded the pitch.