Riots break out as River Plate relegated

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Riots break out as River Plate relegated

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River Plate's defeat to Argentine first time in 110-year history sparked riots.

27 June,2011 07:10 pm

Dozens were injured inside and outside Monumental stadium.The relegation came after a 1-1 draw with Belgrano in the second leg. Belgrano won the first leg 2-0 at home of a demotion playoff. Mariano Pavone scored in the sixth minute for River, and Guillermo Farre equalized in the 62nd. Violence broke a minute before the match was over. Angry fans pelted players with objects thrown from the stands, and police replied with high-powered fire hoses with some fans climbing restraining fences topped with razor wire.As fans were pounded with jets of water, River Plates players huddled on the pitch, many in tears, including goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo. The mayhem quickly spread outside Rivers 50,000-seat stadium. Alberto Crescenti, head of emergency medical services, said at least 55 people had been injured.