Riquelme Intervenes Amid Boca Juniors Fan Violence

During a Copa Argentina quarter-final match between Boca Juniors and Gimnasia, tensions escalated into violent clashes between fans, prompting club president Juan Román Riquelme to intervene. After Boca took a 1-0 lead, chaos erupted as supporters began throwing seats and attempted to breach barriers, leading police to use rubber bullets and tear gas. Riquelme, accompanied by council members, descended from his box to calm the fans and successfully de-escalated the situation, allowing the match to resume. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Boca winning in a penalty shootout, and they will face Vélez Sarsfield in the semi-finals. Riquelme announced plans to separate violent ultras from non-violent supporters in the future. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of fan violence in Argentine football and the significant role Riquelme plays in managing club affairs.