Argentina is renowned for having some of the most intense club football rivalries in the world. However, a recent incident involving Newell`s Old Boys, the childhood club of Lionel Messi located in Rosario, takes this fierce competition to an unprecedented level. The club has reportedly suspended six of its youth academy players for simply posing for a photograph with a player from their local nemesis, Rosario Central.
According to reports, six boys from the youth teams were handed a three-month suspension by Newell`s Old Boys. Their infraction was being photographed with Ignacio Malcorra, a player for Rosario Central. The rivalry between Newell`s and Rosario Central, known as the Clasico Rosarino, is one of the most significant and heated derbies in the country.
In addition to the suspension, the young players also had their scholarships to the club`s school revoked. The club acknowledged that the picture was taken at the behest of some of the children`s parents, who subsequently shared it via WhatsApp before the image reached the club`s attention.
These boys attend the Escuela de Fútbol Infantil Malvinas Argentinas, the very same youth school where both Lionel Messi and Argentina`s World Cup-winning coach Lionel Scaloni began their football journeys.
Carlos Panciroli, a former captain of the club and currently the director of the school, stated that the decision was made in agreement with the parents involved.
“The children are effectively victims in this situation because the photo was instigated by their parents,” Panciroli was quoted as saying. “This decision serves as an internal disciplinary measure aimed at preventing the recurrence of such errors involving the uploading and sharing of photos. While individuals are free to do as they please, they must not do so while representing Newell`s. We have a duty to respect the club`s crest and jersey, which is why it was necessary to set this precedent,” he explained, referencing a report by Clarin.