Judge takes himself off hooligan case

An Argentine judge took himself off a hooliganism case on Monday after his controversial ruling led to the postponement of Sunday's derby match between Racing Club and championship leaders Boca Juniors.

Raul Calvente said in an interview with television news channel TN that he felt under pressure from the Buenos Aires provincial government and the media.

On Friday, Calvente ruled that the leaders of a group of the Boca supporters club known as La 12 could go to Sunday's game even though home club Racing wanted to ban them.

The fans have been convicted of crimes related to confrontations with supporters of other clubs in 1999 and 2003, which they have appealed.

Hours after Calvente's ruling, the provincial government's security department said they would not provide policing and that the game was postponed.

"I have been under pressure from the security department, which believed it to be a political judgement... and part of the media, who have misinterpreted the situation," Calvente told TN.

"The easiest thing for me would have been to reject the (fans') appeal and keep the authorities happy but the judges are there to make sure that justice is done. The decision was based on the law."

River Plate took advantage of Boca's inactivity on Sunday as they beat Rosario Central 2-0 to go two points clear at the top of the Apertura championship.

However, Boca now have two games in hand. In addition to the Racing match, they have to complete a game away to Gimnasia-La Plata, which was called off at half-time by the referee after he said he was threatened by the president of the home team.

River Plate coach Daniel Passarella was unimpressed at the way his team went top.

"This championship is not serious," said Passarella, who captained Argentina's 1978 World Cup-winning team.

Argentine football has been plagued by violence.

Two other matches have fallen victim to hooliganism since the Apertura championship started in August while River Plate president Jose Maria Aguilar said he had received death threats which he said were part of his job.

So-called "barras bravas" - organised groups of hardcore supporters who often receive privileges from clubs such as free tickets - are often blamed.

Godoy Cruz's match at home to Arsenal in Mendoza was called off in the 17th minute when their fans rioted in protest at the club's refusal to give the 'barras' free tickets, provide free travel to away matches and donations from the players' wages.

The Colon-Newell's Old Boys game in Santa Fe was also called off before half-time when a cigarette lighter was thrown onto the field and hit a linesman.

There have also been numerous incidents in the lower divisions.

One of the worst happened in September when rioting fans smashed up a train after a fifth division match at Claypole.