It has been alleged that hundreds of members of Argentina’s violent barra brava football factions have secured travel to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, by performing official duties for the Kirchner Government.
Clarín held an interview with one of the barra involved in negotiations with the Government. According to this anonymous source, 300 fans from 12 different clubs have already secured their passage and stay in South Africa in 2010. This has been assured by working for the Government providing security at events. The agreement also includes a pledge to avoid violence in the stadiums up until the World Cup.
News of the agreement provoked outrage amongst groups campaigning against the influence of the barra brava in football. Doctor Juan Manuel Lugones, lawyer for the group Families of the Victims of Argentine Football claimed that “For a long time we have been accusing the Government of making agreements with football barras. And now they’ve opened the doors for them to travel to the World Cup.”
Government and football figures have however been quick to dismiss these accusations. “When we read these accusations (chief of cabinet Anibal Fernandez) said to me through text “This is craziness”. We have no agreement with any of these groups so that they travel to the World Cup, let alone being financed by us”, said Pablo Paladino, head of football security bureau Subsef.
Rumours of co-operation between authorities and barra brava are nothing new however. In September for the international against Brazil, it was revealed that at least one of the security team attached to Lionel Messi was from the barra of Rosario team Newell’s Old Boy’s.
Clarín also reports that Subsef itself is being investigated for an incident that occurred in Diego Maradona’s first game in charge of the national team. 400 barra entered the stadium with complimentary tickets from the Argentine Football Association (AFA), an event which led sport NGO Let’s Save Football to make an official complaint to Argentine authorities.