Argentina postponed the start of its football season because a financial crisis has paralyzed clubs, prompting furious protests from fans.
The season’s much-awaited kick-off is scheduled for 14 August. The Argentina Football Association said some clubs cannot afford to pay players.
Dozens of fans smashed windows and spray painted the walls of the association’s headquarters in Buenos Aires after the announcement. Police in riot gear dispersed the crowd but made no arrests.
Julio Grondona, the football association president, said the nation could still find comfort in its favorite sport if TV stations dug deeper into their pockets. “We want them to offer us a sum that corresponds to the value football gives them. We have to hope. The situation is not easy.”
The global financial slowdown and relatively parsimonious transfer revenues from Europe, especially England’s Premier League, has squeezed clubs, although problems associated with Argentine football and the poor management of clubs is well publicized by the Argentine press.
Football is a source of national pride and Argentina’s football is considered one of the worlds strongest. Estudiantes recently won the Copa Libertadores, the continent’s equivalent of Europe’s Champions League. Nevertheless, tumbling revenues have crippled big and small clubs alike. Last week the start of the second division season was also postponed because of a debt crisis.
Grondona tried to raise extra funding from TV stations for rights to air matches, arguing that their advertising revenues would slump if the season did not go ahead. Even TV stations are suffering from a significant drop in advertising revenues and Grondona gambit that postponement will increase the pressure to negotiate may not succeed.
Diego Maradona, Argentina’s football legend and national coach told a radio show: “Argentina without football is dramatic.”
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