The Argentine Football Association ( AFA) has officially ended a 12-year ban on away fans at domestic football matches. This decision is a major turning point for the country’s passionate football culture, which has long been known for intense rivalries and electric stadium atmosphere.
To ensure a safe transition, the AFA is rolling out a staged reintroduction through test events. The first major example is World Cup winner Angel Di Maria’s emotional return to Rosario Central. The second is River Plate’s upcoming visit to Instituto De Cordoba. These events will allow authorities to monitor the crowd behaviour, security plans, and understand the groundwork for a broad introduction of supporters in the future.
Di Maria’s Homecoming
Angel Di Maria’s return to Rosario Central has become the centrepiece of AFA’s test plan. After 15 years in Europe and a World Cup win, Di Maria chose to come back to his boyhood rather than accepting high-paying offers from abroad. His first match wasn’t just a football match; it was an emotional moment shared by his family and fans in Argentina.
He marked this occasion with a goal and a heartfelt message. “This means more than anything I’ve done.” The match served as a trial run for welcoming away fans and proving how football can unite people when managed with care.
How the Argentine Football Association Plans to Keep Things Safe
The return of away supporters doesn’t mean a return to total chaos. Local security officials, including Buenos Aires city’s Horacio Gimenez, stressed that only clubs with strong safety plans and local government approval will be allowed to host away fans. Each event will be reviewed, and any misconduct will lead to a delay in the next phase. AFA president Claudia Tapia calls this decision historic, but reminded fans and clubs that this return comes with responsibility.
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