Argentina paves way for return of visiting fans after 12-year ban tried to curb stadium violence

BUENOS AIRES Argentina AP A ban on away fans in Argentina s local leagues a restriction that failed to end stadium violence will gradually be lifted under a plan informed Thursday by the country s soccer federation The -year ban will be lifted in a test run when Lan s hosts Rosario Central in the second matchday of the top-flight Clausura tournament Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia announced at a press conference It s a day that marks a before and after in our league Tapia commented It s the kind of soccer with visitors we all grew accustomed to since we were kids We have to get back to that path Clubs that are in a position to host visiting fans can do so The federation banned visiting fans in the first-division tournament in after two incidents the death of a Lan s fan when police tried to break up a clash with Estudiantes supporters and the death of two Boca Juniors fans in a shootout between rival factions The ban was imposed first in the province of Buenos Aires and the rest of the districts followed While the measure sought to end stadium violence it fell short as more deaths subsequently occurred for disputes among the so-called barrabravas The AFA declared that fans of Rosario Central a gang from that city located kilometers north of Buenos Aires will be able to occupy the Lan s away section under a strict precaution protocol which includes designated tickets so that fans attending are properly identified The idea isn t to go back to what we had before because the visitors were kicked out for a reason Buenos Aires assurance minister Javier Alonso commented We have to eradicate the civilization of violence It s sad to see -year-olds chanting about drugs or that someone demands to be killed It has to be a family celebration with flags and drums For the time being the measure will apply only to the province of Buenos Aires although Tapia reported that other provinces are willing to join the initiative The plan has raised questions Sectors of the opposition to the Buenos Aires authorities warned that police officers cannot be assigned to guard visiting fans to the detriment of citizens concerned about a growing wave of insecurity The restriction on visiting fans only applied to professional league matches and other divisions in Argentina They are allowed in international tournaments such as the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana This is what football fans and society want A multitude of matches have been organized with two sets of fans and that s why we decided to announce the start of the return of visiting fans Tapia noted AP soccer https apnews com hub soccer Source