Fan dies in Argentina as violence breaks out between rivals at Estudiantes and Lanus game

The dark shadow of violence, that has plagued Argentine football for so long, descended once again in La Plata on Monday night.



With the season drawing to a close, Estudiantes were playing Lanús, in a fixture that was key to the visiting side’s title aspirations.

However events on the pitch were very much eclipsed by what happened outside the stadium, as one fan was killed and another seriously wounded in violent clashes between fans and police.

Trouble on the terraces: A brawl in the stands of Ciudad de la Plata stadium during the match between Estudiantes and Lanus in La Plata

Ugly scenes: The violence in the stands lead to one fan being killed

Local media report that the man killed was 38-year-old Javier Jerez, who died from a gunshot wound after being taken to the local Gonnet hospital.



Initial reports suggested that the death was the result of an internal power struggle between rival factions of Lanús’ barra brava – the mafia-like gangs that wield huge influence in Argentine football.

However it soon became clear that it was caused by clashes between the barra and the police and according to Argentine news site Cancha Llena the minister for Justice and Security in Argentina, Ricardo Casal, has ordered the suspension and arrest of three police officers in connection with the fatal incident.

Battle: Fans clashed in the stands

The violence occurred before the game, outside Estudiantes’ stadium, and the start of the match was briefly delayed, but it seemingly wasn’t until half time that news of the fatal incident trickled into the ground and the referee made the decision to abandon the match.

It has capped a bad few days of football-related violence in Argentina, with Saturday’s match between Velez Sarsfield and All Boys being abandoned after just 26 minutes when visiting fans broke through a security fence and fought with police, who responded by throwing tear gas at supporters.



Argentina has a long and troubled history with violence in football, and last night’s death adds to the 271 previously recorded by the NGO ‘Salvemos al Fútbol’.