Two fans die during football clashes in Argentina

Two individuals die in post-match clash in Argentina

Buenos Aires, Oct 21 (IANS): Two men were killed in separate football-related incidents in Argentina, following a Transition Tournament match, according to media reports. Both killings occurred in the town of Rosario after Sunday's game between Rosario Central and Newell's, 300 km north of the capital Buenos Aires, reports Xinhua.

A 39-year-old man was gunned down and a 22-year-old was stabbed to death. Eight fans were admitted to different hospitals with serious injuries, the daily La Nacion said on its website Monday.

Martin Acosta and his son were celebrating the hometown team's win in the city's Belgrano district when a neighbour reportedly angered by the ruckus fired a weapon several times, hitting Acosta in the back.

The victim was taken to a hospital where he died. The neighbour has been identified by the police, but remains at large.

The second victim, Lautaro Bova, according to eyewitness accounts, was walking with other fellow fans in the Castellanos Centeno part of the city when a group of men reportedly in Sporting Newell's colours attacked and stabbed Bova in the chest.

He died minutes after being admitted to a hospital. Police have arrested the 35-year-old assailant, said La Nacion.

Rosario has been plagued by a rising crime rate in recent years, much of it blamed on clashes between rival drug trafficking rings.