Argentina: 1 Dead After Police Clash With Soccer Fans During Gimnasia vs. Boca Juniors Match

A soccer match on Thursday night in Argentina turned into a tragedy as soccer fans clashed with the police and one person died. The incident happened when visiting Boca Juniors played against home team Gimnasia y Esgrima.

According to the Associated Press, Gimnasia fans struggled to enter the already-full Juan Carmelo Zerillo stadium in La Plata in Buenos Aires province.

Police then clashed with the soccer fans trying to push into the league match. They fired non-lethal rubber rounds on the crowd and tear gas outside the stadium as they tried to get the fans to retreat.

As the clouds of tear gas reached inside the stadium, referee Hernan Mastrangelo suspended play nine minutes into the match.

One Person Died as Soccer Fans in Argentina Tried to Escape Tear Gas

When the play was stopped, players from both Boca Juniors and Gimnasia y Esgrima retreated to their respective locker rooms. That was when the spectators in the stadium flooded onto the field to escape the tear gas.

While no player was injured following the riot, one person died while police clashed with soccer fans. Sergio Berni, security minister of the province, told Todo Noticias that the person "died of a heart problem."

However, the minister did not provide details on the circumstances in which that person died. TYC Sports reported that the person who died was a 57-year-old Gimnasia fan named Cesar "Lolo" Regueiro. Both teams, as well as the league, have expressed their condolences.

The league said the incident happened because of the lack of security inside the stadium. In a statement, the Argentine Football Association said it "expresses its commitment to continue working to eradicate this kind of episode that tarnish the football party."

According to Bega District News, the use of tear gas in or around stadiums to avoid risky situations does not conform to FIFA security protocols. However, FIFA's rules do not necessarily apply to domestic or national leagues but are considered a safety standard.

Overselling of Tickets May Have Led to Soccer Riot in Argentina

The match between Boca Juniors and Gimnasia y Esgrima was one of the year's most anticipated matches, and demand for tickets was high. Several fans claimed there had been overselling of tickets as both teams were fighting for the league title.

Witnesses also said that those who were not able to get inside the stadium started to become angry. Sergio Berni told TYC Sports that there were only 350 police officers who were outnumbered by the crowd trying to get in.

However, he noted that "you don't have to be a security expert to know that you don't have to throw so much tear gas outside the stadium." Berni promised to investigate the matter as he wanted to find the person who gave the order to throw the tear gas.

The match will resume. However, the new date has not been announced yet.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Person Dies as Police Fire Tear Gas at Fans Trying to Push Into Argentine Football Match in La Plata - From N4NEWS OFFICIALS