ERIC WEIL in BUENOS AIRES: The battle is on to have a ban lifted to allow fans of visiting teams into stadiums – mainly in time for the River Plate v Boca Juniors classic on October 6. This match has been famous worldwide for its atmosphere and without fans of both teams it will not be the same.

At Boca’s match against Racing Club last weekend, the former’s hooligan gang unfurled a flag saying visiting fans must be admitted for that game. A couple of days later they painted a slogan on Boca’s wall threatening that there would be bullets if they were not admitted.

If Boca fans are finally admitted, one wonders who will receive the few tickets available – the loyal fans or the hooligans (most of them).

Visitors have been getting into stadiums all the time as “neutrals” and the hooligans can do that also if they are not on the banned list (or can get past police in disguise).

The hooligans are not really fans but “businessmen”. They do not want the tickets but are angry because they cannot obtain them to re-sell at high prices, especially to foreigners.

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