Argentine football continues despite violence

The Argentine government has backed down from its threat to suspend domestic soccer, which has been hit by a wave of violence off the field, instead it demanded tougher penalties for hooligans.

Four people have been killed in soccer-related violence this year and a fresh outbreak of violence at the weekend at two leading matches increased the pressure on the government to act.

The government's Secretary for Sports and Tourism Daniel Scioli said on Tuesday that a meeting of leading officials had decided against a ban but would send an emergency bill to Congress proposing life prison sentences for murder at sporting events.

At present under Argentine law, murder is punishable with eight to 25-year jail terms, and life sentences can only be given for what are considered aggravating circumstances.

"We are sending the new bill on security at sports events so that, if possible, it can be dealt with by both chambers (of Congress) by the weekend," Scioli said.

He said the government would also demand that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) enforce rules which call for clubs to have championship points deducted if their supporters are involved in violence.

STOPPING FOOTBALL

Earlier on Tuesday, President Eduardo Duhalde had pondered the possibility of stopping football.

"If stopping football is a solution, then the football will have to stop," he said in a radio programme.

"But the solution, it seems to me, is to put in place new rules which are more dissuasive (to violence). We should implement a law which is less permissive for those who commit acts of vandalism."

"People who have committed serious acts are in the football stadia and after that they are in the streets," Duhalde said. "This provides a situation which cultivates further violence."

In the latest trouble at the weekend, twelve people were taken to hospital, one with a gunshot wound in his arm, after being injured in fighting in the streets around the River Plate stadium before the River Plate-Nueva Chicago game.

Police used teargas to break up the hooligans, known in Argentina as "Barras Bravas".

Meanwhile, the match between Chacarita Juniors and Boca Juniors -- which was moved to away from Chacarita's stadium in an attempt to avoid trouble -- was twice interrupted by fighting on the terraces behind one of the goals.

FINANCIAL CRISIS

The violence is the latest blow to Argentine domestic football, which is in a deep financial crisis.

Last year, the championship was twice halted when players went on strike over unpaid wages and bonuses.

The Players' Union said its members were owed millions of dollars and blamed clubs for spending beyond their means.

In January, Buenos Aires club San Lorenzo, who won the championship held in the first half of last year, admitted they would consider offers for any of their players.

Even top clubs such as Boca Juniors and River Plate are regularly forced to sell their top players.

Paradoxically, Argentina are among the favourites to win the World Cup in Japan and South Korea and finished top of the South American World Cup qualifying group.