The “barras bravas” have claimed another victim in Argentina, where violent supporters of a 4th division club killed a shopkeeper simply because they were unable to gain access to a stadium.
This tragic incident marks the sixth fatality in 2013 attributed to the actions of “barras bravas,” the violent supporter groups notorious for causing chaos around Argentine stadiums. According to Argentine police, the violence occurred on Monday in Libertad, a western suburb of Buenos Aires, following the Midland-Ituzaingo match.
“About 200 supporters were causing damage in the street. The police tried to dissuade them. A clash broke out, and a merchant was fatally injured in the chest,” explained police chief Hugo Santillan during a press conference.
In response to such incidents, supporter travel has been prohibited, and Argentinian stadiums now only admit the home team’s public. The year 2012 had already witnessed clashes between supporters resulting in 12 deaths, according to the NGO Save Football. The persistent violence from “barras bravas” remains a grave concern for football authorities in Argentina.
