03 June 2023 , 20:36
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An Argentina Primera Division game between River Plate and Defensa y Justicia has been suspended after a fan fell to their death inside the former's Monumental stadium.
River were hosting Defensa in the 19th round of the Argentine top-flight, with the game midway through the second-half when the incident happened. According to reports in South America, the match was paused after 14 minutes as referee Fernando Rapallini was informed of a medical emergency in the stands.
The game then resumed but was stopped again 25 minute in when Rapallini was told of the fan's tragic death. After speaking to the two captains, Rapallini then opted to suspend the match, while security personnel formed a cordon at the scene of the accident as they waited for an ambulance to arrive.
Other supporters in the Monumental began to leave as the scale of the tragedy began to emerge. River Plate had not commented on the incident at the time of publication, though Defensa did announce the fan's death on their Twitter channel.
"Match suspended due to the death of a River fan. We send our condolences to the family, the institution and all its supporters," the club wrote.
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The Liga Profesional de Fútbol also commented through social media to confirm the game had been suspended. A statement on Twitter read: "The match between @RiverPlate and @ClubDefensayJus, which was played at Mâs Monumental, was suspended at 27 PT due to the death of a supporter of the local team."
A tent was erected as security staff formed a cordon in the stands (Getty Images)According to Argentine press reports, the fan fell from the highest stand in the Sívori sector of the stadium. River Plate carried out works to expand the capacity at the Monumental in February, with the stadium now being the largest in South America.
River are due to host Brazilian giants Fluminense at the Monumental in the group stages of the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday evening. The hosts are currently top of the Primera Division, while Defensa sit fifth, 11 points adrift of River.