Away fans return to Argentine football after 11-year ban

After more than a decade, visiting fans returned to stadiums in Argentina’s top football flight last weekend.

More than 7,000 Rosario Central supporters were allowed to travel to Lanús to watch their team in the second round of the Clausura tournament.

The move comes in the wake of the “Di María effect – following the euphoric scenes in Rosario last Saturday as international star Ángel Di María made his long-awaited return to Argentine football after 18 years in Europe.

The match was  the first time since June 2013 that rival fans will be allowed to attend top-flight matches together. The ban was introduced following the death of Lanús supporter Javier Jerez, who died during a confrontation with Buenos Aires Province police force outside the Estadio Único in La Plata.

Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), has been vocal in his support for bringing back visiting fans. After discussions with security authorities, spectators from both sides are expected to be present at the Lanús v Rosario Central and Instituto–River Plate matches.

These two fixtures are seen as a tentative first step in Tapia’s efforts to normalise the return of away fans in the Primera División, though each case will remain subject to the approval of security agencies.

"The clubs that are in a position to host visiting fans can do so," Tapia said at a press conference prior to the match.

"It's a day that marks a before and after in our football," he added.

"We want football to be a family affair again  That's what football fans and society want," he said.

– TIMES/AFP