The Argentinian first-class match between River Plate and Defensa y Justicia was halted in the first half on Saturday after a fan was killed in a fall at the Estadio Monumental. Ole. The game was then officially postponed.
The tragic incident reportedly happened not long after the game started, when the center referee called the game off for good in the 25th minute. a 53-year-old man collapsed on concrete about 50 feet from the top portion of the stadium.
River Plate issued a statement not long after that the fan had “popped”.
“The Football Safety Committee and Club Atlético River Plate are sorry to inform you that during this afternoon’s game against Defensa y Justicia, a supporter jumped into the void from the Sívori Alta stand and died on the spot. The medical service immediately arrived on the field of the incident, as were the police and various security services. The stand of Sivori Alta, where the deceased had his subscriptions, was at 90% of its capacity. At the time of the fall, there was no intervention by third parties. It was also verified that there was no situation of violence was in the stands or around it. After 30 minutes the stadium was completely evacuated.”
“He died instantly from severe trauma. He fell from about 15 meters (49 feet), there was no pushing. There was nothing that could be done,” said Alberto Crescenti, director of the Buenos Aires medical care system.
Security personnel rushed to the scene after fans began to signal that something was wrong, as the match was initially halted before continuing, only to be suspended.
“With the autopsy, it will really become known whether he had a previous injury or whether he died as a result of the fall. It was a man and he had long hair,” added Crescenti.
River Plate, one of Argentina’s biggest and most successful clubs, currently tops the first division.