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Dirty Tackle - World Soccer

Dirty Tackle

Sun Jun 26 04:49pm EDT

River Plate relegated, fans riot

By Brooks Peck

On the 15th anniversary of their second Copa Libertadores win, River Plate and their record 33 Primera Divsion titles were relegated in front of their home fans with a 1-1 draw in the second leg of their playoff against fourth place second division side Belgrano. River lost the first leg 2-0 and several of their own fans invaded the pitch to shove them around. Those physical attacks didn't propel them to turn things around, though, and they now face life in the second division for the first time in their 110-year history.

Once their fate was sealed, the 60,000 fans in attendance went mental to the point where the referee didn't even add stoppage time so everyone could flee. Fire hoses were employed to try and drive them back in order to keep them from storming the pitch. Belgrano players had objects thrown at them as they scurried to safety and the River players had to be completely surrounded by a human shield of police officers. They were then hurried into an inflatable tunnel that protected them on their way to the dressing room.

There's a good chance the riots that will surely go on through the night will make Vancouver look like a Disney adventure.

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