5-year-old in mortal danger after head injury, there is looting
Chaotic scenes after the canceled World Cup celebration
Around five million fans celebrated the soccer world champions in the Argentine capital. But after two fans tried to jump on the team bus, the celebration was called off. What followed were chaotic scenes and clashes.
The celebrations of Argentina’s world champions in Buenos Aires begin with another provocation from their goalkeeper. Then chaos erupts. The players are diverted and flown out by helicopter.
Mith shirtless Emiliano Martinez celebrated on the deck of the open-topped bus, his lower body covered by his country’s flag, the gold medal slung around his neck. A triumph for the Argentinian goalkeeper hero, who played such a significant role in the Albiceleste’s World Cup triumph. But he is holding an object in his hand that provides a basis for discussion. Again, as one has to say after Martinez’s behavior in recent days after Sunday’s triumph (4-2 on penalties against France).
This is what the streets of Buenos Aires looked like on Tuesday: The players couldn’t get through on the bus
Quelle: AFP/TOMAS CUESTA
Martinez presents a doll reminiscent of the 1980s film Chucky to fans who flocked to the streets of Buenos Aires by the millions to celebrate the World Cup. The doll’s face features an opponent from the final whom Martinez has now teased several times: Kylian Mbappé. Pictures of the incident are circulating on social media, and individual videos have also appeared. In these, the Aston Villa keeper points to the doll several times, cheers with her, then puts his index finger in front of his mouth.
It is an analogy to the scenes that had already become public from the Argentine dressing room in Doha’s Lusail Stadium immediately after the final whistle. There, Martinez had demanded a minute’s silence for the French superstar “who died” in a similar gesture during a song. According to Argentine media reports, Martinez has now been thrown the doll by a fan. In any case, Mbappé no longer became friends after his criticism of South American football (“not that far advanced”) and Martinez after his counterattack (“he doesn’t know enough about football”) and the subsequent provocations.
An end to chaos
For Martinez, the celebrations, attended by five million people, ended in chaos, as it did for Lionel Messi and the entire Argentina national team. After the bus barely made any headway under the pressure of the crowds and several dangerous incidents occurred, the party was called off. The team was diverted to the federal police cadet school in the Villa Lugano district and flown out by helicopter from there. The players returned to Argentina’s FA compound.
Lionel Messi (left) and Co. were brought out of the crowds by helicopter
Source: AFP/STR
Videos had previously shown life-threatening maneuvers, such as fans trying to access the world champion bus from a bridge, one of them falling onto the street. The authorities confirmed 31 injured in the evening. Most were injured from falls or cuts. According to media reports, a five-year-old boy is fighting for his life after a broken piece of marble from a monument apparently hit him. He is said to have suffered a serious head injury. The day before the parade, a man died as a result of a fall, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health confirmed to the newspaper “Télam”. He fell in a parking garage.
Many fans climbed poles to get a better view of their world champions. A dangerous action
Quelle: AFP/TOMAS CUESTA
There had also been clashes between revelers and the police. Eight police officers and firefighters were injured. The city police reported 14 arrests. A police car is said to have been hijacked by fans.
The Metropolitan Police also released surveillance footage of looting in the heart of downtown. Photographs showed rescuers wearing helmets and shields standing in formation around the obelisk, around which Argentinian fans traditionally celebrate victories.
