Estudiantes' team bus was attacked by rocks thrown by rival fans as it arrived for a match against Gimnasia in a classic rivalry in La Plata, resulting in damage but no serious injuries.
On Sunday, Estudiantes faced Gimnasia in a highly anticipated La Plata classic, which is known for its intense rivalry. However, the atmosphere soured dramatically before the match even began, as fans of Gimnasia threw rocks at the Estudiantes team bus. Video footage and photographs soon circulated online, showing the aftermath of the attack which had resulted in broken windows and minor injuries, with players Marcos Angeleri and Leandro Díaz suffering cuts. Despite the chaos, the injuries were not severe, but the incident disturbed the visiting team greatly.
The attack took place in the final 15 meters of the bus's journey to the stadium, as confirmed by the bus driver in an interview with ESPN. He expressed frustration over the incident, indicating that the presence of police motorcycles alongside the bus, which is standard practice, could have prevented the incident. The anger from Estudiantes’ officials was palpable, as they condemned the actions of rival fans and criticized the lack of security measures.
This incident highlights the ongoing issues of violence and security in Argentine football, where passionate rivalries can sometimes lead to dangerous situations for players and fans alike. The implications of such attacks not only raise questions about safety protocols at sporting events but also challenge the authorities to find effective strategies to curb violence among fans in future matches.
