Argentina lifts 12-year ban on away fans in its local leagues

Overview

• In 2013, the Argentine Football Association imposed a ban on away fans in its local leagues
• Three unfortunate death incidents led to the move from the AFA
• The AFA President, Claudio Tapia, confirmed the news with a Press Conference

The Argentine Football Association has lifted the ban on away fans in the local leagues, which has been imposed in the country since 2013. The AFA President, Claudio Tapia, conducted a Press Conference and announced the news. The ban will be lifted when Lanús and Rosario Central face each other in the second matchday of the top-flight Clausura tournament.

In his statement, Tapia claimed that it could be a historic decision and believed Football could change for the better with the move. He agreed that hosting away Football fans is something that's been accustomed to for a long time. Tapia felt the need to revive it and claimed that the clubs are in a better position to ensure the safety of the fans, compared to the past.

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"It’s a day that marks a before and after in our league. It’s the kind of soccer (with visitors) we all grew accustomed to since we were kids. We have to get back to that path. Clubs that are in a position to host visiting fans can do so," the Argentine Football Association President stated in the Press Conference.

Reason behind the Argentine Football Association's ban on away fans in the local leagues

In 2013, a couple of unfortunate incidents took place in Argentina, which led to the ban on visiting fans. In one of those incidents, a Lanús fan suffered death as the police tried to stop a clash with the Estudiantes fans. In another unfortunate incident, there was a shootout between rival factions, and two Boca Juniors fans suffered deaths.

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Following these incidents, away fans were banned from Buenos Aires and other districts of the country. Ironically, such brawls and death counts did not end after the ban, as disputes continued to happen among the fans outside the stadium.