Superclásico: what was the camaraderie lunch between Chiqui Tapia, Riquelme and the second vice president of River?

The president of the Argentine Football Federation, Claudio Tapia, This Thursday he summoned the main club managers and referees who will direct the League Cup classics for a lunch of camaraderie in the name of spirit “Rivals, not enemies”, which took place during this midday.

“We want this initiative to become usual and manage to play down a sporting result. The clubs, their managers, their protagonists and the fans are #RivalsNotEnemigos”, Chiqui posted, just the day after a Tigre fan threw a bottle that hit footballer Fernando Brandán in the face and forced the suspension of the match between Matador de Victoria and Chacarita for the 32nd round. Argentina Cup final.

“This is the reason for this lunch with the presidents, club managers and referees who will direct the classic #CopaSurFinanzas event”, concluded Tapia.

The meeting took place in a famous restaurant located in Ezeiza, where the managers of most of the clubs that make up the Professional League were also present. Federico Beligoy, National Director of Arbitration, together with the 14 arbitrators chosen to administer justice in the long-awaited seventh round of the local competition.

“It was a very nice match, with a lot of camaraderie. For us and for the fans it is an important match, but the classics are nothing more than this: a match”, said Luis Chebel, president of Lanús, leaving lunch. El Granate will host Banfield on Sunday at 10pm in La Fortaleza with Darío Herrera refereeing.

Representing River AND Mouthin front of the Superclásico which will be played on the same Sunday (starting at 5pm at the Monumental Stadium), the xeneize president was present at the event, Juan Roman Riquelme, next to Ricardo Rosica, while on the side of the Millionaires the second vice president did it, Ignacio Villarroel.

It was a meeting of camaraderie, a prelude to a truly special event awaited by everyone. The AFA’s aim was to send a message of calm to all parties involved, as well as promoting dialogue between team authorities and referees.

Days, times and referees of the classics date

Saturday 24 February

• Independent vs. Running (17 hours) – Facundo Tello
• Belgrano vs. Workshops (7.30pm) – Fernando Rapallini
• Hurricane against San Lorenzo (7.30pm) – Nazarena Arasa
• Sarmiento vs. Barracas (22) – Pablo Echavarría
• Union vs Independiente Rivadavia (22) – Nicolás Lamolina

Sunday 25 February

• Fiume against Boca (17) – Yael Falcón Pérez
• Gymnastics against Students (7.30pm) – Pablo Dóvalo
• Newell vs. Rosario Central (7.45pm) – Hernán Mastrángelo
• Institute against Godoy Cruz (22) – Jorge Baliño
• Lanus vs. Banfield (22) – Darío Herrera

Monday 26 February

• Defense and Justice against Deportivo Riestra (19) – Fernando Espinoza
• Argentinians against Platense (7.30pm) – Fernando Echenique
• Velez vs. Tiger (9.30pm) – Leandro Rey Hilfer
• Central Cordova vs. Atletico Tucumán (9.45pm) – Andrés Merlos