Post by Carl LaFong on Apr 18, 2017 10:05:15 GMT
An Argentine football fan has died from head injuries after being pushed from the stand by an angry crowd who thought he was a rival supporter.
Emanuel Balbo, 22, tumbled over the railing and crashed to the concrete five metres below during a fiery derby match between Belgrano and Talleres in the northern city of Cordoba.
He is reported to have argued with a man he accused of being responsible for his brother’s death in a traffic accident in 2012, Mr Balbo’s father Raul revealed in an interview.
Witnesses said the man responded by shouting that Mr Balbo was a fan of derby rivals Talleres in disguise.
This prompted the angry crowd to attack him with punches, forcing him to flee down the steps to the barrier and fall over it.
The football club announced his death from severe head injuries in hospital two days later.
The Argentine Football Association also released a statement expressing its sadness at the death.
It said: “The Argentine Football Association expresses its deepest regret over the death of Emanuel Balbo, who was a victim of the crime last Saturday at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Cordoba.
“The Argentine Football Association sends its full support to his family and friends in this painful moment.”
Four people have been arrested in connection with the attack, according to local media reports.
Emanuel Balbo, 22, tumbled over the railing and crashed to the concrete five metres below during a fiery derby match between Belgrano and Talleres in the northern city of Cordoba.
He is reported to have argued with a man he accused of being responsible for his brother’s death in a traffic accident in 2012, Mr Balbo’s father Raul revealed in an interview.
Witnesses said the man responded by shouting that Mr Balbo was a fan of derby rivals Talleres in disguise.
This prompted the angry crowd to attack him with punches, forcing him to flee down the steps to the barrier and fall over it.
The football club announced his death from severe head injuries in hospital two days later.
The Argentine Football Association also released a statement expressing its sadness at the death.
It said: “The Argentine Football Association expresses its deepest regret over the death of Emanuel Balbo, who was a victim of the crime last Saturday at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Cordoba.
“The Argentine Football Association sends its full support to his family and friends in this painful moment.”
Four people have been arrested in connection with the attack, according to local media reports.