Fans riot as River Plate are relegated

BUENOS AIRES – Argentina’s River Plate, one of the world’s biggest clubs, suffered the humiliation of relegation for the first time in their 110-year history on Sunday amid violent scenes and the closure of their Monumental stadium.

Rioting ‘Barrabrava’ hooligans caused mayhem inside and outside the giant stadium after a 1-1 draw with Belgrano in the second leg of a relegation-playoff condemned the 33-times Argentine champions to Nacional B division for next season.The violence from the fans throwing metal bars and stones left 25 people, including six police officers, injured, with one badly hurt after being hit by a car.A major avenue nearby looked like a war zone with bonfires blazing, shops windows smashed and stores looted.A city prosecutor ordered the temporary closure of the stadium – exactly four weeks before it is due to stage the final of the Copa America – or an investigation into policing and possible illegal sale of extra tickets.’We will be looking for proof that more fans got in than is authorised,’ prosecutor Gustavo Galante told America television, adding the limit allowed by the government for the Monumental is just over 40 000. Observers estimated the crowd at some 60 000.Galante said his office had asked for the match to be played behind closed doors after an invasion of the pitch by River fans in Cordoba that interrupted the first leg for 20 minutes.Players of both sides had to leave the Monumental pitch under the protection of stewards while police used high power hoses and tear gas to try to disperse the rioting fans.Belgrano were later able to celebrate promotion with the few hundred visiting fans, who, for their safety, were kept in their sector of the stands nearly three hours after the final whistle.

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