The leader of the Rosario Central supporters’ gang, Andrés Bracamonte, known as Pillín, was shot dead near the club’s stadium in Rosario. He had a long history of involvement in violence and criminal activities. His killing is seen as part of ongoing rivalries in football hooliganism and is thought to be a settling of scores.
Andrés Bracamonte, infamously known as Pillín and long-time leader of the Rosario Central supporters’ gang, was shot dead in Rosario, Argentina, near his club’s stadium. Bracamonte, aged 52, had been the head of the gang for over two decades and was notorious for his involvement in violent encounters with rival groups. On Saturday, while accompanied by his deputy, Daniel “Rana” Atardo, Bracamonte was attacked by assailants on a motorcycle, just a few blocks from the Gigante de Arroyito stadium. Although a league match had taken place earlier, Bracamonte was unable to attend due to prior bans linked to his history of violent behavior and criminal accusations, including money laundering and extortion. Both men were urgently transported to Centenario Hospital, but unfortunately, medical personnel could not revive them. The media in Argentina widely reported Bracamonte’s death as a potential settling of scores, given his extensive criminal background and ongoing feuds. Just last August, he suffered an assassination attempt that left him injured. Allegations connecting him to the Los Monos drug cartel and investigations into his financial dealings were outstanding at the time of his death.
The phenomenon of football hooliganism is deeply ingrained in Argentine culture, with many supporters’ groups often engaging in violent confrontations. Within this context, Bracamonte’s leadership of the Rosario Central supporters’ gang reflects not only the intense rivalries between football clubs but also the entanglement of these groups with organized crime. Reports suggest that the violence associated with these supporters often leads to deadly outcomes, as evidenced by Bracamonte’s history of conflict and his suspicious affiliations with drug trafficking organizations. Law enforcement has struggled to contain these gangs, despite ongoing investigations into illegal activities such as extortion and money laundering.
Andrés Bracamonte’s assassination underscores the ongoing issues of violence and crime associated with football hooliganism in Argentina. His long-standing involvement with criminal activities and the notorious Rosario Central supporters’ gang exemplifies the perilous intersection of sports, crime, and public safety in the region. As investigations continue into his criminal associations, including ties to drug cartels, his death may signal a significant turning point in the violent dynamics among rival supporters.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
