No, not Mao’s march against Imperial China, but the rather more football-related, though perhaps no less difficult struggle to rid the Argentine football world of those nasty people who carry knives into stadia and run riot before, during and after matches.
After the jailing of several members of the La Doce heirarchy back in April, it might soon by the turn of Los Borrachos del Tablón, River’s barra brava. Alan and William Schlenker and Adrián Rousseau, amongst others, have been strongly cautioned, according to judicial sources, for the clashes at a River social venue before the opening match of the Apertura against Lanús in February.
The judge named the three as being behind the ‘incitement of crimes at a sporting event,’ also warning River president José María Aguilar that whilst evidence couldn’t prove it, there were strong suggestions of his playing a part in a cover-up, and that he was guilty of a ‘lack of good faith’.
Other ‘lesser’ barras were given less ominous cautions, but the Schlenker brothers and Rousseau were each warned that if the investigations (still ongoing) find them guilty of further wrongs, they could face up to six years in prison. With Boca’s main hoolies currently doing sentences of up to four-and-a-half years, further incarcerations would be a strong message to send out at the start of a new season.
Filed under: Argentine football, Argentine league, Domestic, Fans, Football, Football clubs, Football security, Los Borrachos del Tablón, River Plate, Violence
