Riots compound River Plate's relegation misery
By Paul Armstrong, CNN
June 27, 2011 -- Updated 0846 GMT (1646 HKT)
(CNN) -- One of South America's most famous football clubs, River Plate, was relegated from Argentina's top division Sunday for the first time in its 110-year history, sparking riots among supporters.
The relegation play-off against Belgrano of Cordoba had to be abandoned in the final minute of the match in the Argentine capital, as police fought back a pitch invasion by furious River fans.
Their side had gone into the match needing to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first-leg of the play-off decider, but could only manage a 1-1 draw to seal their ignominious fate.
Both sets of players were forced off the pitch after coming under fire from a hail of missiles from the crowd, while firefighters sprayed water hoses into the stands to try to restore order, Agence France-Presse reported.
The unrest quickly spread to the streets outside the stadium, where riot police battled to contain the furious fans with horses and water cannons, AFP said.
The clashes left 68 people injured, while over 50 were arrested, according to Argentina's Federal Police. Two officers were left "in a serious condition with head injuries from being hit by projectiles," police added.
Based in the affluent Belgrano neighborhood of Buenos Aires, the "millionaires" are the country's most successful team, having won a record 33 league titles. Their rivalry with the Boca Juniors club across the city is among the most intense in world football.
But in recent years a huge debt has forced the club to sell off its top players, while their current president, the former World Cup-winning captain Daniel Passarella, has endured calls for his resignation amid claims of mismanagement.
However the home side, playing in front of 50,000 fans at the Estadio Monumental, got off to a flying start on Sunday when Marione Pavone put them ahead after just five minutes. His low shot from the edge of the box gave the goalkeeper no chance.
It was a lead that lasted until the hour-mark, when Guillermo Farre took advantage of a defensive mix-up to roll the ball through the 'keeper's legs for the equalizer.
Pavone then missed a glorious opportunity to put his side back into the lead from the penalty spot just over a minute later.
But with trouble erupting in the stands in the dying minutes, the referee ended the match without adding on injury time.
Credit: CNN (www.cnn.com)
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