AFP, Buenos Aires :
Mass on-pitch brawls between players in supposedly “friendly” matches between top Argentine football teams have driven the government to vow to end soccer violence.
Long used to match-day violence involving hooligan gangs, Argentine fans saw ugly rucks erupt on the pitch itself at two recent high-profile friendlies.
Argentina’s new President Mauricio Macri, himself a fan and former chairman of top team Boca Juniors, responded by vowing to crack down on soccer violence.
Last week’s Buenos Aires summer derby between the country’s two most popular teams, Boca and their fierce rivals River Plate, descended into a full-on punch-up.
A match already marred by cynical fouls and insults degenerated after a clash between former Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez of Boca and a River defender.
Five players were sent off and River Plate’s goalkeeper was hit by a projectile from the stands, but the match carried on to end in a 1-0 win for River.
