Violence erupted before the recent match between Newell's Old Boys and Belgrano de Córdoba held at the Coloso Marcelo Bielsa on March 9, 2025, marked by clashes between Newell's fans and police.
On the evening of March 10, as fans began to fill the stadium for the ninth round of the Torneo Apertura 2025, tensions reached their peak outside the venue. According to reports, fans of Rosario Central, motivated by the long-standing rivalry with Newell's, launched fireworks near the stadium.
Around 20 minutes after kick-off, riotous scenes unfolded as Newell's supporters confronted the Central fans, prompting police to intervene with rubber bullets and tear gas to control the situation. Video footage captured the chaos, showing officers responding to the violent outbursts with force.
The match, which was already expected to be intense due to the historical animosity between the two clubs, was interrupted several times as fans launched projectiles from the stands and attempted to hang onto the stadium fences. This reflected the recurring violent encounters between the two factions, particularly after Newell's recent loss to Rosario Central, where they lost 2-1.
Security for the match was tight due to prior incidents, including one where Newell's fans had attacked Central’s team bus with stones, resulting in property damage. The atmosphere was charged with hostility, and the game was paused multiple times by referee Luis Lobo Medina amid the mounting chaos both inside and outside the stadium.
Following their recent defeat against Defensa y Justicia, fan unrest escalated, showing how difficult it is to manage tensions. Just before the second half, objects—including shoes—were thrown onto the pitch, aimed at Belgrano’s goalkeeper, Jorge Broun. This had become increasingly common as fans expressed their frustration with the team's performance.
Despite the disarray, River Plate managed to secure victory against Atlético Tucumán later on March 10, with Facundo Colidio scoring the only goal of the match to bring River close to the top of their division with 18 points. Their prior defeat against Talleres de Córdoba had left them seeking redemption, demonstrating the juxtaposition of stellar performance against the backdrop of their local rivals' turmoil.
The authorities are under significant pressure to take action against the violence permeated by passionate support for football clubs. Sensing the atmosphere was becoming unmanageable, law enforcement was required to maintain public safety. The crowd disturbances were neither isolated incidents nor unexpected; they reflect broader trends of violence and disorder driven by deep-seated rivalries embedded within Argentinian football.
The incidents surrounding the match are symptomatic of larger socio-political issues involving discontent with club leadership and the sport itself. The fans' dissatisfaction with Newell's performance has created breeding grounds for these conflicts, raising serious questions about how the sport is managed and the potential consequences for teams.
The football community mourns the ramifications of such brutality, highlighting the need for improving safety measures at matches. The prioritization of football culture must not overshadow human safety; persistent media coverage keeps the spotlight on these issues, necessitating legislative and organizational reform, alongside measures for engaging fans positively.
With residents still reeling from the violent events, it remains to be seen how clubs, local governments, and sports organizations will respond. Addressing the venue security and enhancing community relations might be steps we see taken to counteract this rising tide of football-related violence. The intense rivalry should nurture passion, not provoke hostility and destruction.
Only when all stakeholders engage constructively can the beautiful game reclaim its reputation as a sport fostering unity rather than division.