[Argentina] Barrabravas Threaten Players With Firearms
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A group of violent Argentino de Merlo supporters, of the Argentine fourth division, threatened players with firearms because of the club's poor campaign, informed the Argentine press on Wednesday.
The incidents occured in Tuesday's training session, when 20 members of the team's barrabrava (hardcore supporters) entered the field of play of Argentino de Merlo's stadium, in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, and they threatened the coach, Carlos Medina, and footballers Sebastian Ojeda and Diego Katip.
Witnesses claimed that several of the ultras had firearms in their possession, and they went to the extreme to following some players outside of the stadium, and they threatened them with death because of the team's poor campaign this season.
The Argentino de Merlo directors pressed charges at the local police station, and they affirmed that in the future they will hire security guards to make sure such events do not occur during training sessions anymore. Because of this many players admitted that they are willing to leave the club.
"I have a family, and I'm afraid for my life. They followed me onto the street. What happens if they shoot me?," an anonymous member of the squad told the press.
Such incidents are very common in Argentine football, not only within the lower leagues but also in the first division, and even at some of the top clubs.