Global, South America

Sam Dobniewski explores the unique and always controversial world of football in Argentina, with the fun and fireworks mixed with riots and violence.

It is a tough world for clubs in South America. A lack of finance and facilities are just two of the reasons football on the continent fails to progress onto new and more advanced levels. Instead, football remains very much the same as it was in Europe during the 80’s. Undeveloped stadiums that haven’t been looked after, along with plastic scoreboards and old-fashioned barbed wire terraces.

The biggest problem of all is the lack of investment. Not only does it prevent clubs from moving in forward directions, but it also means any sign of young talent is soon on the plane to a top European club. Who can blame them though? Bigger wages, better facilities and a chance to make a name for themselves. It’s cruel on clubs such as Boca Juniors and River Plate, who do so much to nurture these players, only to see them snatched away almost instantly. However, it’s something the fans are forced to take on board.

In the last decade, the likes of Hernan Crespo, Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez are just a few examples of players that have moved from South America to Europe at an early age. The latest star on the road to Europe is River keeper Juan Pablo Carizzo who, in July, signed for Italian side Lazio for a fee in the region of £5m. Another blow for the supporters, but money that will go along way to ensuring the club remains afloat.

The roaring, the stamping, and the hardcore levels of non-stop singing and chanting on the terraces more than compensates for the lack of financial power

However, there is one thing money can’t take away and that is the supporters’ passion for the game. Balloons, fireworks, flares and confetti are just a few ingredients you would find in La Bombonera or El Monumental on a matchday. The roaring, the stamping, and the hardcore levels of non-stop singing and chanting on the terraces, more than compensates for the lack of financial power.

Incidentally, football in Argentina has often been marred by scenes of violence, which in turn, over-shadows on-the-field events. Supporters are renowned for their over-excitement, leading to riots and crowd trouble and sometimes between fans of the same club. The provoked attacks are not always football-related and can often be linked to social class and money. This is a major factor why the hatred between Boca and River is built so strongly. The supporters of Boca are often refered to as working-class, where as River are known as the “Millionaires” and play in the district of Nunez, which is considered to be of vast wealth.

The superclasico is a fixture that is dubbed “the rich vs. the poor”. When the two meet, it’s often described as the most hostile atmosphere in world football. Ninety-minutes of blood, guts and sweat, leaving the streets of Buenos Aires deserted, whilst all restaurants and cafes with televisions are full to bursting point with supporters.

It is a fixture that has everyone talking months ahead, leaving supporters and tourists fighting and paying over the odds, in a desperate attempt to purchase tickets, living up to what many claim to be the most passionate and enthralling rivalry on the planet.

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