I Went to a Uruguayan Gun Fight and a Football Match Broke Out

Football in Uruguay ain’t what it once was. At one point they were behemoths, winning two World Cups in a span of 20 years (that’s the same number of World Cups that France, England, Spain, Netherlands, Africa, Asia, North America, Oceania and Antarctica have won combined). These days, domestically at least, they’re mostly known for violence and not playing football because of violence. So that a fanwas shot and in serious condition as he attempts to survive a gun fight and that 93 people were arrested “before, during and after” game should really come at no surprise whatsoever.

So here’s the big problem: he was shot – shot in the throat at that – at a pre-season friendly. One couldn’t catch all the irony dripping off that with a dump truck.

Of course the match between Penarol and Nacional is a giant rivalry, and I suspect if you pitted Celtic v Rangers, Fenerbahce v Galatasaray or Roma v Lazio against each other in a “pre-season” match there would be nothing friendly about it. But still….friendly. Come on.

And while football violence does come at no surprise, the escalation of off-pitch problems due to violence and security is quite alarming. All of these within the last two months, mind you.

Round 1:

The Uruguayan championship was suspended for two weeks last November after around 200 supporters fought on the pitch following a match between Danubio and Nacional.

Round 2:

The tournament was again suspended last month on the eve of the final round of matches in the first stage after police declared Danubio’s stadium unsuitable to host Penarol.

Round 3:

It was reported that twelve barrabravas, who are predominantly made up of people from dangerous neighbourhoods and with a lack of education, appeared at the Hotel Days Inn, in Colonia, where Nacional were performing pre-season training. Apparently the violent fans approached several players and demanded official team shirts, in order to be sold, so that they can pay for their travel costs when Nacional take part in the 2009 Copa Libertadores.

Round 4:

The 33-year-old Nacional supporter was taken to hospital after being shot in the chest as rival fans clashed outside the Centenario stadium following Saturday evening’s game, police said in a statement. Media reports said the man, who has not been named, was in intensive care and that his condition was serious. Police added that 93 people were arrested before, during and after the match between the country’s two most popular clubs.

And to make matters better/worse, the Penarol coach resigned after losing this friendly 2-1. I’m sure he’s not the first, but resigning after a friendly loss has to be a pretty exclusive group.

Halting an entire league is never the first choice of any administration, but maybe Uruguay should seriously consider putting the championship on indefinite suspension and replacing it with something less prone to violence. Underwater basket weaving, perhaps.

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Category: World Football