Riot halts match in Argentina after disputed goal

Furious home fans threw assorted missiles on to the field and one hit a linesman, forcing referee Sergio Pezzotta to call the match off in the 88th minute. 

Pezzotta was at the centre of the controversy for awarding the free-kick in the first place and then ordering it to be retaken.  

Pezzotta judged that Fabian Cubero had fouled Boca midfielder Fernando Gago on the edge of the area, although Velez players claimed that no contact was made. 

Daniel Diaz took the kick and sent his effort into the wall but the linesman raised his flag as rival players clashed in the wall and the referee ordered a re-take. 

Diaz’s second effort was stopped by goalkeeper Gaston Sessa who could not hold the ball and Daniel Bilos snapped up the rebound. 

Although the game did not finish, it is standard practice in Argentina for the winning team to be awarded the points in such cases, provided it was the losing team’s fans who caused the trouble. 

As a result the result is included in most official standings, giving Boca 34 points from 16 matches in the Clausura Championship and a four-point lead over River Plate and Lanus with three games each to play.

8:35 AM - April 25, 2006 - post comment