River players threatened by angry fans
Source: Agencies |
October 15, 2009, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
RIVER Plate players received threatening phone calls on Tuesday from fans fed up with their poor performances in the Argentine first division, local media said.
A humiliating 1-3 defeat at home to Independiente on Monday left River in 16th place in the Apertura championship with five points from eight matches.
It was the first time in 13 years that River had lost at home to Independiente, and 11th overall in one of the Argentine game's big 'classics'. Independiente climbed to third, one point behind leader Estudiantes and title holder Velez Sarsfield.
Players cancelled their mobile phone contracts and refused to talk to reporters suspecting they had passed the numbers to the fans who made the calls, media said.
"We know at what time your wife goes shopping" and "we know your family's movements" were among the threats made, they reported.
River Plate director Hector Cavallero could not verify the reports.
"We don't know (officially) what happened," he said. "The matter was not even discussed at tonight's board meeting."
River, one of the country's two most popular clubs along with its rival Boca Juniors, is not spending on players while the club builds up to elections for a new chairman and board near the end of the year.
The Independiente match was the first of coach Leonardo Astrada's second spell in charge after he took over last week from Nestor Gorosito, who resigned following the previous weekend's 1-2 loss to San Lorenzo.
Big striker Cristian "Ogre" Fabbiani bore the brunt of fans' wrath after being substituted during the second half and made matters worse when he asked them to shut up by putting a finger to his lips. He later apologized.
A humiliating 1-3 defeat at home to Independiente on Monday left River in 16th place in the Apertura championship with five points from eight matches.
It was the first time in 13 years that River had lost at home to Independiente, and 11th overall in one of the Argentine game's big 'classics'. Independiente climbed to third, one point behind leader Estudiantes and title holder Velez Sarsfield.
Players cancelled their mobile phone contracts and refused to talk to reporters suspecting they had passed the numbers to the fans who made the calls, media said.
"We know at what time your wife goes shopping" and "we know your family's movements" were among the threats made, they reported.
River Plate director Hector Cavallero could not verify the reports.
"We don't know (officially) what happened," he said. "The matter was not even discussed at tonight's board meeting."
River, one of the country's two most popular clubs along with its rival Boca Juniors, is not spending on players while the club builds up to elections for a new chairman and board near the end of the year.
The Independiente match was the first of coach Leonardo Astrada's second spell in charge after he took over last week from Nestor Gorosito, who resigned following the previous weekend's 1-2 loss to San Lorenzo.
Big striker Cristian "Ogre" Fabbiani bore the brunt of fans' wrath after being substituted during the second half and made matters worse when he asked them to shut up by putting a finger to his lips. He later apologized.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
