One man was killed and 14 others injured as rival soccer fans swinging metal pipes and throwing rocks clashed on Monday after a promotional play-off match between two Argentine clubs that spilled out on to a busy rush-hour freeway, authorities said.
At least 78 arrests were reported in the fighting after Tigre defeated rivals Nueva Chicago 2-1 in the Argentine capital, a result that relegated Nueva Chicago from the first division.
”We regret to announce one death,” Dr Alberto Crescenti, director of paramedics services for Buenos Aires city, declared on television. He said a 41-year-old man died from blunt force wounds to the skull. ”All attempts to revive him failed.”
Television footage showed angry bands wildly swinging pipes, throwing rocks and even trying to use a metal advertising sign as a battering ram in the free-for-all that began at Nueva Chicago’s stadium.
The clash, coming days after the end of Argentina’s first-division Clausura season, was the latest and most serious episode in a season plagued by violence, police clashes and other incidents.
Police, who initially appeared overwhelmed by the fighting, were backed up by reinforcements firing volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets. Rock-throwing fans scattered from the stadium in the Mataderos section of the capital, and some spilled onto a busy highway in rush-hour traffic. Motorists were seen swerving and slowing as police chased the rioting fans.
Crescenti said 11 of the 14 injured required hospitalisation, many with stab wounds and cuts.
Police chief Claudio Marcelo Stabile said 78 people were detained.
Authorities moved to immediately shut down the Nueva Chicago stadium.
The victory returned Tigre to the first division for the first time in 27 years. — Sapa-AP