In the match between Racing and Platense for the 20th round of the Argentine Professional League, it was the sixth minute of added time when Racing's goalkeeper, Gabriel Arias, was expelled, leaving his team with nine players (moments earlier, Eugenio Mena had also been expelled).
The Chilean goalkeeper had been constantly insulted by the local team's fans. According to Argentine media, a small group of fans had mentioned the names of Arias' relatives, and at a certain point he couldn't take it anymore and responded with an obscene gesture, raising both hands. Chaos immediately broke out at the Vicente López stadium, and the referee ended up showing him the red card.
At the end of the match, the goalkeeper spoke to the press and acknowledged his mistake, as well as apologizing to his teammates. "It's very difficult to believe in this society that they take the trouble to look for the names of a player's relatives and insult them for almost 100 minutes. They crossed the line, and I couldn't take it anymore. I exploded against those four people. It's nothing against the Platense fans, I apologize to them. It's for those people who constantly insulted my family," said the Chilean international.
"We're in a society that seeks to hurt, things that are not right. Apologies to my teammates and the people of Platense. It wasn't correct. I take responsibility. But the players who went after me don't know what I've been through. There comes a point where I couldn't take it anymore. They said some very hurtful things, they wanted to hurt me and that's not good," he continued explaining what happened.
Minutes later, Gabriel Arias would go to the Vicente López police station to give a statement to the authorities for his actions, as he violated Article 14 of Argentina's sports law by provoking public disorder.
Racing, close to the top in Argentina
Despite finishing the match with two fewer players, Racing imposed itself on Platense with a close 0-1 victory thanks to a goal scored by Maximiliano Romero.
With this result, Fernando Gago's 'Academia' climbed to fourth position in the table with 34 points and remains expectant awaiting the matches of the leader, Gimnasia, this Tuesday against Central Cordoba in Santiago del Estero, and its pursuers Boca Juniors, who will face Huracán on Monday at home, and Atlético Tucumán, who will also play away against Argentinos Juniors on Monday.
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