For the first time in its history, Argentine soccer club River Plate is facing relegation to the second division. River Plate is one of Argentina’s most successful clubs and contests a very fierce rivalry with Boca Juniors. The derby, known as the Superclasico, is one of the most famous in world soccer.
Losing 2-0 to Belgrano infuriated River’s fans who stormed the pitch, stopping the game for 20 minutes, before being scattered by police. This is not the first time that River’s fans have halted a game out of anger at their team.
In 2002, River Plate was behind 5-0 to Banfield, a club that had not beaten River for 28 years, when only ten minutes into the second half, fans overran and occupied the pitch.
Meanwhile, in the aftermath of Brazilian club Santos’ victory over Uruguayan club Penarol to claim the 2011 Copa Libertadores, fans stormed the field and a brawl exploded between the two teams. Supposedly, fans of Santos couldn’t help themselves from being idiotic in the Penarol’s players’ faces.