Argentine authorities and football officials have launched multiple investigations after a series of antisemitic incidents involving Club Atlético All Boys fans during a match against Atlanta, a team known for its strong ties to the country’s Jewish community, on Sunday.
Footage should All Boys supporters parading a coffin draped in an Israeli flag through the streets amid a sea of Palestinian and Iranian flags.
The incidents occurred outside Buenos Aires’ Malvinas Argentinas stadium prior to the match, where All Boys fans were distributing flyers with messages such as “Free Palestine” and “Israel and Atlanta are the same crap”.
During the match, which ended in a 0-0 draw, a drone carrying a Palestinian flag flew over the stadium, and some fans reportedly chanted anti-Israel slogans.
Atlanta is based in the Villa Crespo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, historically home to many Jewish immigrants.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) released a statement on Monday condemning the actions as “abhorrent” and emphasized, “This is not folklore. This is discrimination.” The AFA also confirmed that it has opened a formal inquiry into the events.
Buenos Aires police reported on Monday that they had issued infractions to individuals accused of inciting public disorder and related offenses.
Additionally, Argentina’s security ministry announced on Tuesday that it had filed a criminal complaint, citing “demonstrations of violence, expressions of racial and religious hatred, and public intimidation”.
The DAIA, Argentina’s main Jewish umbrella organisation, called for decisive action from both authorities and the soccer club.
A spokesperson for the DAIA said: “We strongly repudiate the antisemitic expressions that occurred today near the Malvinas Argentinas stadium.
“We demand that the relevant authorities, the AFA, and the All Boys Club act firmly in response to these acts of hatred.
“Violence and discrimination have no place in our society.”
