Boca Juniors versus River Plate. This is one of the world’s biggest sports rivalries.
It is very hard to find a greater and more contentious football match than the Buenos Aires derby. Both Argentinean clubs carry a centenary history.
The two began at the beginning of the 20th century in La Boca, a poor and humble neighbourhood in the south of the Argentinean capital city.
In the 1920s, River Plate relocated to the north of the city, but the dispute of the true representative of the lower classes, the workers from La Boca remained – even though nowadays both clubs have supporters across all social classes in the country.
The ‘super derby’ stops the country. Every local, regional or national newspaper, radio or TV station is broadcasting the pre-match news – a week prior to the game.
During match day, the Barra Bravas – the fanatic Argentinean fans who stand for the whole game and never rest supporting their team – put together a big show on the stands with their fireworks, singing and dancing.
Then, after the match, there are seven more days of following up, talks about the results, the supporters’ behaviour and everything related to the game. The country, and its capital city, breathes the derby for half a month.
Can you imagine what would happen if these teams are to compete against each other more often?
This is exactly what has happened in the past few weeks. Boca Juniors and River Plate faced each other in early May, in a top-of-the table clash in the Argentinean league (Boca 2 x 0 River).
After that, they were to play again two more times, in a knock-out phase of the Copa Libertadores da America (the South American Champions League).
The super derby dominated the news and the country’s street talks for over three weeks. After the knock-out matches, one club would stay alive in the competition, while the other would ‘die’.
Unfortunately, this metaphor nearly became true, as the violent scenes of the second Libertadores match were shown to the world.
On the second leg of the Libertadores round of 16, in the Bombonera (Boca Juniors’ home stadium) the score was even (0–0) after the first half of the game.
River had won the first leg by 1-0, and was playing better than their opponents.
After the interval, as the River Plate players were walking through the tunnel that connects the change rooms to the fields, they were hit with tear gas bombs.
Four River Plate players were severely burned, and others were also affected by the gases. After a heated on-field argument between officers from both sides and referees, and next to 60 minutes of deliberations, the match was suspended.
Rapidly, the mainstream media has propagated the version that Boca Juniors’ Barra Bravas had sent the gas bombs. The press even suggested that one subgroup of the Boca Juniors supporters, known as ‘Lomas de Zamorra’ was very upset as they were given a smaller amount of tickets to the match than what was promised by Boca’s president.
Prior to the super derby, they were sending notices and threats towards both clubs, saying that something could happen on the day.
However, nothing has been proved yet, and the evidence collected so far can’t say whether the bombs came from the stands or from someone with access to the field.
The Conmebol (South American Football Federation) is still to have its final word on the events, depending on the outcomes of the investigation that is being conducted. Many people are saying that Boca Juniors will face severe sanctions for their supporters’ behaviour and River Plate will progress to the next phase of the tournament.
However, others say that if no proof is uncovered to link the Barra Bravas to the episode, the teams may play a second half with closed gates and no fans at all.
The super derby is an iconic moment of the Argentinean society, and has a great visibility as well. Many of its protagonists have an important say not only in the country’s sports life, but also in its political affairs.
Loyal fans, Barra Bravas – and criminals who have infiltrated them – represent a powerful and numerous group in the South American country. Politicians from all parties want to have them on their sides. Boca Juniors and River Plate have more than 20 million supporters altogether.
In October, Argentineans will elect a new president. To show how football and politics come along well in this country, it’s enough to say that Mauricio Macri, the current mayor of Buenos Aires was a Boca Juniors president for more than 10 years.
Furthermore, the current president of Boca Juniors, Daniel Angelici, supports his colleague’s ambitions towards the federal power.
Coincidentally, Angelici was not been seen on the field because at the super derby he was paralysed due to the tear gases. He has even ‘disappeared’ from the news.
Mainstream media channels – such as Clarin and La Nacion – which have a clearly anti-government agenda, were evidently avoiding naming or criticising Boca’s president over the super derby’s incident and his relationships with the Barra Bravas’ subgroups. Angelici was also totally absent of any comments in Fox Sports, hence being somewhat protected in a crisis moment.
Two months after the presidential election, Boca Juniors will elect its new president. Across the slums of La Boca, the rumours are that this is the only election that counts in the country.
Undoubtedly, both elections have a strong connection. Buenos Aires, once known as an European city in South America due to its high social and cultural standards, presently has a great deal of poverty, social decline and urban violence.
On the other hand, its mayor’s administration promotes an excellent atmosphere for real estate speculation, international corporations and major construction companies.
Past and present Boca Juniors’ presidents can use the violent behaviour of the Barra Bravas as an excuse to proceed with their plans of tearing down the historical, mythical and popular Bombonera stadium, in the heart of La Boca, to build a new and modern stadium for the club.
They want to promote an revolution in Argentinean football, which is very much aligned with their corporate allies’ plans and ambitions. New stadia always generate very good business.
Their projects, though, already face resistance across La Boca neighbourhood – with residents loudly proclaiming that they won’t be leaving.
This is the actual super derby. Will Argentineans be able to push for a less aggressive atmosphere within football?
Will they keep their traditions and their football passion in such a tainted environment?
Who will promote a dialogue between all parties; encourage peace in Argentineans’ stadia, and at the same time deal with the real criminal behaviours in football?
This is clearly not only perpetrated by Barra Bravas from the streets, but mostly by high level suits in their air-conditioned offices?
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