Argentine match off after policeman shot
Reuters - Sunday 05 June 2011, 01:12
BUENOS AIRES - Argentine
club Newell's Old Boys' home game with San
Lorenzo was suspended after a police officer was shot and
wounded by hooligans in the city of Rosario on Saturday, local
media reported.
Two "barra brava" hooligans riding a motorbike took 10 to 12
shots at a rival faction of Newell's fans and officer Maximo
Alegre was hit in the buttocks, the local newspaper La Capital said. His life was not in danger.
Police chief Cristian Sola of Rosario, 300 km north of
Buenos Aires, and the Security Secretary for Santa Fe province,
Horacio Ghirardi, announced the decision to suspend the match at
the Marcelo Bielsa stadium.
It was the third match suspended due to violence among fans
in the 19-round Clausura, second of two championships in the
season.
Velez Sarsfield's home match against San Lorenzo in March
was suspended after just seven minutes when a Saints fan died
after fighting between fans and police.
The remaining 83 minutes were played a month later with
Velez winning 2-0.
Two weeks ago, champions Estudiantes were leading 2-0 at
Huracan when home fans rioted in the stands.
The match was suspended in the 32nd minute and the rest of
it was played behind closed doors on Thursday with Estudiantes
winning 3-0.
Violence is endemic in Argentine football and turf wars
between rival factions of fans of the same team have become more
common than fighting against supporters of other sides.
In two matches on Monday involving teams at the front of the
title race, leaders Velez are at home to third-placed Godoy Cruz
while Lanus, who are second, visit Independiente. Fourth-placed
Olimpo lost 2-0 at Arsenal on Friday.