Two members of a gang of Argentine hooligans were shot dead outside the Rosario Central club’s stadium on Saturday evening, local media reported. The press named the victims as the leader of the barra brava of Rosario Central, Andres “Pillin” Bracamonte, and another member of the group, Daniel “Rana” Atardo.
Barras bravas are mafia organizations linked to many of the country’s top clubs and run by die-hard supporters.
Bracamonte, who was banned from attending Rosario matches due to his history of violence, and Atardo were allegedly ambushed near the Gigante de Arroyito stadium, where their club lost 1-0 to San Lorenzo Saturday, during the 22nd day of the Argentine championship.
During his 25 years as head of Rosario’s barra brava, Bracamonte was the subject of around 30 assassination attempts, media reported. He appeared in court on Friday for gender-based violence, for which the prosecutor had requested two years’ imprisonment. Bracamonte has also been accused in the past of extortion, criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Brawls between fans are common in Argentine Football and have caused at least 352 deaths since the creation of the professional league at the end of the 19th century, according to the Salvemos al Futbol (Save Football) association.
