A policeman in Argentina caught up in the violence between groups
of football hooligans has died from a gunshot wound to the head.
The policeman, identified as Sergio Rodriguez, was shot at a
train station in La Plata where he was working crowd control prior
to Wednesday's Argentine league match between Estudiantes of La
Plata and Argentinos Juniors. He died Thursday after being
airlifted to a hospital.
The death is believed to be related to a power struggle for
control of hooligan groups that follow the Estudiantes club. Police
said they detained 42 people in the violence and seized firearms.
According to various accounts, the violence broke out when
the two hooligan groups confronted each other at the entrance to
the train station, a meeting which was followed by gunfire and
running street battles.
Football hooliganism is a grave problem in Argentina, where
hundreds have died in clashes inside and outside stadiums.
Some hooligans groups have promised to clean up their acts,
hoping it will lead to stipends for some to follow Argentina at the
World Cup in South Africa, which begins June 11.
