Velez Sarsfield Players Clash With Their Fans

On Wednesday night in Santa Fe, Central Cordoba of Santiago del Estero defeated Velez Sarsfield 1–0 to win the title. However, the celebration was overshadowed by a brawl after the match as some Velez players clashed with their fans, who were angry about the loss.

According to reports, a group of fans from El Fortin began hurling abuses at the team. The confrontation began when a family member of a Velez player confronted fans in the 15th stand who had been vocally criticising and insulting the team.

Players Intervene to Protect Their Families

The situation intensified as several players, including Randall Rodriguez, Elias Gomez, Brian Romero, Agustin Bouzat, Tomas Guidara, and Rodrigo Pineiro, entered the stands to defend their relatives. This led to physical altercations between the players and the fans. Santiago Caceres was particularly upset as he tried to protect his wife during the chaos. Randall Rodriguez, a former Penarol player who was on the substitutes’ bench, was visibly distressed by the incident. At the same time, reports suggest that Uruguayan player Rodrigo Pineiro, who was not included in the final squad, attempted to defuse the tension.

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Injuries and Escalation

During the brawl, the president of Velez Sarsfield, Fabian Berlanga, attempted to intervene and de-escalate the conflict but was ultimately pushed to the ground. Meanwhile, the wives of Santiago Caseres and Jalil Elías sustained injuries amidst the chaos.

Speaking about the same, Velez coach Gustavo Quinteros later claimed that he was unaware of the incidents involving his players, as his focus remained on the match.

While aggression has always been evident in the game of football, this incident highlights the intense emotions faced by both footballers and fans. However, such incidents must be condemned, both on and off the pitch.