BUENOS AIRES: An investigation into illicit ticket sales has led to a stadium ban on 284 River Plate fans after the scandal surrounding the Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors in November writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

The bans followed the discovery of more than 300 tickets at the home of Hector Caverna Godoy, the long-term leader of the notorious hooligan group known as the Borrachos del Tablon.

Police raided Godoy’s home the day before the scheduled second leg of the final of the South American Club Cup at River’s Estadio Monumental. The tickets had been printed within the River stadium and were assigned to various identified individuals.

The game was postponed after the Boca team bus was ambushed by hooligans on its way to the ground.

Ultimately the match was staged in Madrid where River won 3-1 to secure the continent’s most prestigious club trophy 5-3 on aggregate.

Confirmation of the stadium bands emerged in the government’s official gazette because “the actions of these individuals are profuse and reckless without any respect for the law and public safety.”

** River Plate have agreed a new sleeve sponsorship deal with Axion Energy worth $2m until June 2020.

 

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