Argentina pushes anti-hooligan bill after Boca-River melee

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentina’s president on Monday called for Congress to pass a bill in special session that would crack down on soccer hooliganism after a weekend melee derailed the final leg of the region’s main club tournament.

President Mauricio Macri wants a law that would more severely punish the kind of violence that over the weekend shut down the second leg of the Copa Libertadores soccer final between River Plate and Boca Juniors.

The riot was especially embarrassing to the country as it prepares to host a G20 summit on Friday.

A visibly angry Macri went on television to denounce criminal soccer fan organizations, called “Barras Bravas,” that are known for dealing drugs, extorting rank-and-file fans and demanding protection money from small businesses located near stadiums.

“We reject the mafias that are often behind this type of violence,” Macri said. “I hope that after this embarrassment, we can get a law passed in extra sessions of Congress.”

Security Minister Patricia Bullrich said the law would stiffen penalties against violence related to matches.

Later on Monday, the security minister for the city of Buenos Aires, Martin Ocampo, resigned over the fiasco.

The decisive leg of the tournament had been set to be played on Saturday, but was suspended until Sunday after Boca players were injured when their bus was attacked by River fans outside Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires.

Some of Boca’s players had not sufficiently recovered by Sunday, so the game was again postponed. The heads of both clubs were expected to meet on Tuesday to decide when to reschedule.

Macri said the incident was particularly “sad and frustrating” because it happened five days ahead of a meeting of the G20 bloc in Buenos Aires, which he has touted as part of the country’s effort at attracting foreign investment despite its high rate of inflation and recession.

CONMEBOL said the game should not be played in Buenos Aires, but did not specify an alternative location.

“It will be played outside Argentina because the conditions do not exist for the game to be played in Argentina,” president Alejandro Dominguez said.