Illegitimate Trophies, Player Protests and Fan Unrest – Behind The Chaos In Argentina's Top Flight

Illegitimate Trophies, Player Protests and Fan Unrest – Behind The Chaos In Argentina's Top Flight

Football Blog

Illegitimate Trophies, Player Protests and Fan Unrest – Behind The Chaos In Argentina's Top Flight

As midday passed on Sunday, the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito ascended into a yellow and blue cacophony of noise.

The Rosario Central faithful awaited the entrance of their beloved team ahead of a massive round of 16 knockout fixture against Estudiantes in the Clausura playoffs, but this entrance would have a little bit extra.


The Odd New Trophy That Nobody Asked For

Last week the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) created a new trophy, almost entirely from thin air, and awarded it to Rosario Central.

The new award was decided on during a boardroom meeting and blessed by the controversial FA president, Claudio Tapia.

No consultations, no communication; they just did it.

The 'Champions of the League' trophy, as they so creatively named it, is awarded to the team with the most points in the general standings, which combines both the Apertura and Clausura phases of the competition.

In principle, you'd think it makes sense. But considering it has never been present before now, was introduced when most of the season was already complete, and nobody asked for it – it all just feels a bit odd.


Estudiantes Take A Stand

Following the commissioning of the trophy, the AFA demanded in writing that Estudiantes honour Rosario Central in their upcoming fixture with a traditional guard of honour.

It was a clear attempt to legitimise the new trophy, which had already begun to gain big backlash in its small tenure.

The issue the AFA had was they couldn't predict what Estudiantes would do next, and it wasn't pretty.

As the players lined up in the tunnel, the cameras captured an interaction between Angel Di Maria and one of the Estudiantes players in which both embraced and the visiting member whispered something into Di Maria's ear, to which he nodded in acknowledgement.

The Estudiantes players came out first and lined up in guard of honour formation, seemingly awaiting their counterparts in orderly fashion.

But, as Rosario walked from the depths of the tunnel, the Estudiantes squad launched their clearly premeditated protest.