BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Two Boca Juniors fans were killed Sunday in a shootout between rival factions of hooligan gangs that support the famous Buenos Aires club.
Buenos Aires police said the shootout took place outside the stadium of rival Buenos Aires club San Lorenzo. The pre-season match was called off by San Lorenzo club president Matias Lammens.
The names of the dead men were not immediately released. Witnesses said about 100 shots rang out during the gun fight.
Sergio Berni, head of national security, blamed the violence on Boca club officials. In a radio interview he suggested the season should open in August with visiting fans banned from attending matches.
Violence is endemic in Argentine football, with many matches threatened by mayhem orchestrated by hooligan gangs. The Argentine Football Association says the violence is a larger societal problem, but has been blamed for not tackling the problem.
A fan of Argentine club Lanus was killed in June during a brawl with fans of rival club Estudiantes outside their stadium. The death was caused when the fan was reportedly struck by rubber bullets fired by police.
The Lanus club issued a statement calling the action “police brutality.”