Fan killed in Argentina prior to San Martin Tucumán vs. Belgrano, match is not called off

Kieran Francis

Claudio Darío Rodríguez

Fan killed in Argentina prior to San Martin Tucumán vs. Belgrano, match is not called off image

A fan has been killed during fighting before a match in Argentina's second division, with the game still continuing despite the tragedy.

After a gun fight involving fans prior to the San Martin Tucumán vs. Belgrano match, a supporter has died while several others were wounded before the Primera Nacional game at Estadio La Ciudadela on Monday evening local time.

Despite the horrific incident occurring in the lead-up to the contest, San Martin Tucumán president Ruben Moisello said the game would continue as scheduled with his team in the midst of a battle for promotion to Argentina's top division.

"What we have is that someone was shot in the back," Moisello said.

"The match is being played, not because it is more important than a life.

"We have prepared a great party for today."

According to La Gaceta de Tucumán, an armed confrontation occurred between two groups of San Martin supporters at a bar, with a Tucumán fan named Manuel Lopez killed, while several others suffered injuries.

At the time of publication, the match between Tucumán and Belgrano had commenced with Tucumán leading 1-0 at half-time.

The two teams compete in the second division of Argentina's football, which is the competition directly below the top league Liga Profesional.

A win for Tucumán against Belgrano will see them rocket up the standings to second and put them in the position to reach the playoff semi-finals for top division promotion.

Belgrano has all-but sewn up promotion to the top division next season, as they lead the league by nine points with only five games left.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.

Claudio Darío Rodríguez

Claudio Darío Rodríguez Photo

Claudio Darío Rodríguez es productor de contenido en las ediciones en español de The Sporting News. Periodista profesional desde 2006 y de oficio de toda la vida. Con pasado en Clarín, TN y Telefé. Actor, profesor, inquieto.