The violence associated with football fans and its dire consequences have once again made headlines in Latin America. In Buenos Aires, a tragic incident occurred as a young man lost his life during the aftermath of the “Boca Juniors Supporters’ Day” celebrations.
Nineteen-year-old Rafael Ruiz was fatally shot on a train filled with supporters returning from the festivities. Witnesses reported that his carriage was targeted by gunfire from a van, resulting in two bullets striking him in the head and chest. Despite efforts to transport him to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
Law enforcement has initiated an investigation to ascertain whether the shots were fired by supporters of another football club or a rival faction within Boca Juniors. The Supporters’ Day event had gathered thousands of Boca supporters dressed in the team’s iconic blue and yellow jerseys. However, the evening took a violent turn with some supporters attacking businesses and clashing with the police, leading to the arrest of twenty-two individuals.
This unfortunate incident follows previous instances of football-related violence in Argentina. In July, violent clashes erupted between supporters of San Lorenzo and Boca Juniors on the eve of a match between the two teams. The confrontations resulted in the death of a 35-year-old individual from a gunshot to the chest, and a 44-year-old succumbed to a gunshot to the back. Additionally, four others were injured in the clashes.
