Argentine football may still have a ban on away supporters but it has done little to stem the violent scenes that have sadly remained a feature throughout the country. On Sunday in Mendoza, Godoy Cruz “supporters” were the latest to bring shame on the sport after peppering players, officials and police with rocks and concrete and ultimately causing their match against Racing to be suspended after just 25 minutes.
There has already been reports of clashes between the local barra bravas and police prior to kickoff after an attack on the Godoy Cruz bus and when Racing were awarded a soft penalty after just a minute the mood darkened further. Diego Milito confidently gave La Academia the lead but within 20 minutes those in the stands ensured that the game would not be completed. Supporters want former Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze fired as manager and made their stance very clear. Referee Germán Delfino was left with little choice and waved off the match and we will wait and see what outcome the AFA decide.
Earlier in Sarandí, Arsenal ended a run of three straight league defeats with a 2-0 win over Tigre but it did not prevent manager Caruso Lombardi from handing in his resignation. A Santiago Silva penalty and an injury time breakaway strike by Federico Rasic gave Arsenal the points but unhappy with being sent to the stands earlier in the match, Lombardi quit stating that the refereeing was the cause. Supposedly if that is the case then his career as a manager is over?
Sarmiento’s woeful run of form continued on Sunday as Atlético Rafaela stole all three points thanks to Ignacio Pussetto’s stoppage time strike. The visitors had been playing with ten men for almost the entire second half after Adrián Bastía was sent off but it did not prevent them from inflicting a 12th match without a win on a worried Sarmiento side.
Arsenal 2 – 0 Tigre
Godoy Cruz 0 – 1 Racing Club (suspended after 25 mins)
golazo argentino 