CNN
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A soccer fan in Argentina died Thursday during an abandoned Liga Profesional match between Gimnasia La Plata and Boca Juniors at Juan Carmelo Zerillo Stadium in La Plata, Buenos Aires. The backer was named Cesar Regueiro by Gimnasia, the home team.
It’s not clear what caused the fan’s death, but Sergio Berni, Buenos Aires Provincial Security Minister, told local TV that the fan died of a heart problem as he was leaving the stadium, Reuters reported.
The game between Gimnasia and provincial rivals Boca was stopped by referee Hernán Mastrángelo after nine minutes due to riots around the stadium between security forces and fans, with tear gas used by the authorities.
Gimnasia, Boca Juniors, La Liga Profesional and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) – the sport’s governing body in the country – have released statements on their verified Twitter accounts condemning the incident and offering their condolences to Regueiro’s family and loved ones.
Gimnasia’s statement also called for an investigation into the incident to find out what caused the tragedy.
Gimnasia continued to publish a further statement on their social media accounts, denouncing the use of excessive force by security forces at the stadium entrances and around them, claiming that the club and its supporters have followed entry protocols set by and organized with the Buenos Aires Provincial Police and APREVIDE, the Ministry of Security in Buenos Aires.
The club also said in the same statement that they did not oversell tickets for the game.
Provincial security minister Berni told CNN affiliate TN: “Whatever happens, happened.
“They are selling more tickets than the venue capacity and there is no space in the stadiums. Then we have to take responsibility for this irresponsibility.”
CNN en Español has contacted the Buenos Aires Provincial Police, who have not issued a statement on the matter.
The death comes days after a stadium crush in Indonesia killed at least 131 people. The deadly scrum came after police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd who had stormed the pitch.