Tempers flared
River Plate fan arrested after strapping flares to her young son ahead of Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors
The woman was filmed ahead of the game, which was suspended after a hooligan-led attack on the Boca team bus
POLICE have identified and arrested a woman pictured strapping flares to a young football fan this weekend.
The woman was filmed ahead of River Plate and Boca Juniors' hotly-anticipated cup final - suspended after a hooligan-led attack on the Boca team bus.
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The footage of the astonishing moment a crazy female fan of River Plate was filmed bending down to fix the flares round the child’s belly, went viral.
Today prosecutors in Argentina confirmed the woman, who wanted to smuggle the flares into River’s stadium and knew security officials let minors enter without body searches, had been arrested.
They revealed the long-haired youngster in a River Plate top whose life was put at risk, was the son of the unnamed adult taken into custody.
It also emerged the pair were identified through the watch the boy’s mum had on her wrist.
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Under Argentinian law she now faces a prison sentence of up to eight years for putting her child’s life at risk, the crime she was arrested for.
Social workers have already been mobilised to probe the child’s family environment and decide whether he should stay with his dad.
A spokesman for the CIJ, a specialist investigative team which belongs to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, said: “Image treatment software and social media work was key in the identification of the suspect.
“A watch was spotted on the wrist of the woman strapping the flares round the child, as well as on another image on social media linked to the people that were investigated.”
Boca Juniors’ team bus window SMASHED on way to Copa Libertadores final second-leg with River Plate
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Although the maximum jail sentence in Argentina for putting a child’s life at risk is six years, the sentence can be increased when the crime is committed by parents.
The footage that led to a hunt for the brunette was filmed ahead of the second leg of the final of the Copa Libertadores between Argentina’s eternal rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors.
The tie, due to be played on Saturday night, ended up being suspended after a shocking attack on Boca’s team bus as it neared River’s Monumental Stadium.
Former Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez was among those attacked with missiles and gas in the ambush.
Boca Junior fans pack out the stadium for just a training session ahead of South American Copa Libertadores final second leg with River Plate
Tevez reportedly vomited after being rushed off the bus and was filmed clutching at his throat and appearing to have difficulties breathing as he was helped to Boca’s dressing room at River Plate’s stadium.
Two players including Boca captain Pablo Perez were taken to hospital with cuts and eye injuries.
The match was rescheduled for yesterday evening before being called off again.
A new date, thought to be December 8, is expected to be announced after a meeting tomorrow.
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The attack on the Boca team bus, and pitched battles on the streets have led to questions about Argentina’s ability to ensure the safety of world leaders at the G20 Buenos Aires summit.
Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Theresa May are among the political leaders due to jet to Argentina.
Mauricio Macri, a former president of Boca Juniors, is due to hold bilateral meetings with Theresa May and Donald Trump during the G20 summit.
The British PM and her Argentinian counterpart will talk about the Falkland Islands.
Anibal Fernandez, a former Argentinian government minister, described current president Mauricio Macri and the country’s Security Minister Patricia Bullrich as “idiots” after the weekend mayhem.
He said: “They couldn’t look after the Boca Juniors bus properly and they want to protect the leaders of the world’s most important nations!!!
“Suspend the G20 summit you fools, you’ve still got time.”
Lawyer and politician Victoria Donda added: “The Security Minister can’t ensure the Boca Juniors squad reaches the Monumental stadium safely and she wants us to believe she’s capable of organising the G20 summit.”
Fans throw flying objects at players during Copa Libertadores 2018 final first leg between Boca Juniors and River Plate
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