Dylan Bettencourt
There are few football matches in the world more fiercely contested than the game between Rosario Central and Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina.
Football fans in the Sante Fe region mark the date the teams are due to meet in their calendar months in advance. This time, though, the excitement turned dangerous.
The derby was delayed on Sunday after a number of grenades were thrown onto the field by fans, leaving holes in the playing surface.
In the video the explosive weapon can be seen hurled onto the pitch before blowing up and causing the damage. There were no injuries reported during the incident.
“A number of grenades that were thrown onto the pitch have made holes in the pitch. Kick-off is being delayed as the referee is briefed by the Head of Security,” the Newell Old Boys wrote on Twitter.
Three days before the game, 30,000 Newell fans gathered outside the club’s stadium to give the team a sendoff with a fireworks display.
The Newell club is famous for having the likes of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi play for the side during their careers as well as being coached by former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa.
The fireworks displays along with grenades added to the drama of Newell’s 1-0 win after the game eventually got underway.
A second-half goal from Juan Garcia handed the side their fourth victory of the season, leaving them two points from the league leaders with seven games played thus far.
Image source: @TheGuardian
Video source: @Newells_en
