Monday, 21 March 2011

Rioting fans cause Argentinian Primera Divisi�n match to be abandoned

? San Lorenzo fan reported to have died in clashes before match
? V�lez S�rsfield's goalkeeper hit by missile thrown from crowd

Rioting fans caused an Argentinian Primera Divisi�n match between V�lez S�rsfield 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 Jos� Amalfitani in Buenos Aires was halted when visiting San Lorenzo fans broke down the fencing around the pitch and the V�lez 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 V�lez 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 V�lez 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.


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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/21/velez-sarsfield-san-lorenzo-abandoned-clashes

Didier Drogba Nicolas Anelka Damien Duff Dimitar Berbatov

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