SEATTLE - The Argentine and American governments will collaborate during Copa América 2024 to prevent hooligans from causing trouble, as Argentina has granted the U.S. Embassy permission to access data collected by its anti-violence program.
On May 8, it was announced that Argentina would partner with the United States by sharing data from their 'Tribuna Segura' program, an initiative launched in 2018 to prevent individuals with criminal records and restrictions from entering soccer stadiums in the South American country.
Argentina has a long history of violence in soccer stadiums. In 2013, AFA president Julio Grondona banned fans from attending away games following the murder of Javier Gerez during a match between Estudiantes La Plata and Lanús. Since then, the Argentine government has implemented multiple initiatives to eradicate stadium violence, including measures such as biometric screening.
But even though the government has come up with new ways to stop violence around the stadiums, the non-profit organization "Salvemos al Fútbol" reported that 72 people have died since restrictions on away fans were introduced, an increase of 12 more deaths compared to the 10 years prior to the introduction of these programs.
The news come just one day after the Argentine government prohibited 58 Boca Juniors fans from entering stadiums around the country. The group of fans, led by "barra brava" leader Rafael Di Zeo, were charged with the possession of fire arms and drugs as they traveled to Córdoba for a semifinal clash against Estudiantes in the Copa de la Liga.
With Argentina set to play its Copa América group stage matches in the cities of Atlanta, New Jersey and Miami, both parties hope that this partnership can prevent anyone with criminal records on traveling to the United States for the Summer tournament.
In a tweet sent by Patricia Bullrich, Argentina's head of security, she hopes for a "Copa América 2024 without violent Argentine fans."
COPA AMÉRICA 2024 SIN ARGENTINOS VIOLENTOS
— Patricia Bullrich (@PatoBullrich) May 8, 2024
Hemos acordado con los EEUU la entrega de información del programa #TribunaSegura de todos los violentos a quienes prohibimos el ingreso a los estadios de fútbol, para que ninguno pueda ingresar a los mismos durante la competición.
Argentina will open its participation in the Copa América 2024 with a game against Canada at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. They will travel up north for a high-voltage clash against Chile in New Jersey. The animosity between both sets of fans grew larger than ever between 2015 and 2016, when both teams met in consecutive Copa América finals.
Despite all the efforts made by South American governments to eradicate violence in soccer stadiums, there have been recent incidents of fans continuing to cause trouble at sporting events. Last November, Brazilian and Argentine fans starred in yet another brawl during a 2026 World Cup Qualifier match. The game had to be delayed for around 30 minutes due to the massive brawl between both sets of fans and the police.
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