The Argentinian football world was tilted off its axis this June when River Plate were relegated to the second division for the first time in their 110-year history.
Over a decade of financial mismanagement and several years of poor results on the pitch consigned the once-mighty Millionarios to their darkest hour; losing a two-legged relegation playoff match against the spirited but modest second division outfit Belgrano de Cordoba to tumble gracelessly into the lower leagues.
Nobody could believe it. The thought of top flight football in Argentina without River Plate was all but impossible for people to get their heads around. River ‘fans’ rioted after the defeat to Belgrano, doing unspeakable damage to their own magnificent stadium, El Monumental, in the process. Most of the rest of the country had a right old chuckle about it, but there was no hiding a sense of deep shock all round as the reality set in.
The game in Argentina is forever teetering on the brink of financial crisis, and River’s relegation will be a huge blow for the AFA, football’s national governing body. The club itself is sure to suffer economically due to a drop in income from television rights. They will be forced to sell off many of their most talented young players, which will make their quest to return to the first division as soon as possible all the more difficult. Several former stars have indicated they would be willing to take a pay cut and return to help out the club, which is an encouraging sign.
http://www.therealargentina.com/arg...e-superclasico-for-now-river-plate-relegated/
