Controversies continue to plague Argentine lower-division football. This time, an episode of aggression shook Federal A during the first leg of the Revalida semifinal between Douglas Haig and Atlético Rafaela, played in Pergamino. With the visiting team leading 2-1, a Fogonero supporter jumped onto the field and attempted to attack referee Fernando Rekers, forcing the match to be interrupted.
The police response was immediate: five officers managed to intercept the aggressor before he could land the blow. However, the atmosphere of tension had already become unbearable. Faced with the chaos and with only one minute left in added time, Rekers decided to end the match to preserve safety.
The atmosphere had been heated from the start. Throughout the 90 minutes, the home crowd hurled insults and chants against the mobster Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia, president of the AFA, an expression of discontent that grew as the match progressed.
In strictly sporting terms, Facundo Affranchino, former midfielder for River, was the standout player of the afternoon by scoring both goals for Atlético Rafaela. That brace left the Santa Fe team with a lead for the second leg.
The series will be decided next weekend in Rafaela, where it will be determined which team will play the final for the second promotion to Primera Nacional against the winner of 9 de Julio de Rafaela or San Martín de Formosa, a team directly linked to the feudal governor Gildo Insfrán. The Rafaela venue will host a match full of anticipation, after a first leg marked by violence and an early suspension.
