Away fans will be allowed back on the terraces in parts of Argentina for the first time in over 12 years, Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed on Thursday. The ban was implemented in 2013 due to repeated acts of violence committed by organized groups of football fans known as barrabravas.

AFA President Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia made the announcement in a press conference. He added that the new rules will be implemented on a trial run basis in the Torneo Clausura, calling the news “historic”.

“It’s the first step for clubs that are able and want to welcome visitors to do so,” Tapia explained. 

“It’s the beginning of a lot of work ahead to consolidate this idea. It’s a commitment from everyone, which will also include training sessions to move toward the path most people want, which is to have both audiences in the stadium,” he added.

Tapia also asked for “commitment” from all actors involved so football can once again be a “family affair” in Argentina.

The schedule

The first matchup under the new rules will see Lanús hosting Rosario Central at La Forteleza, the nickname for the noisy Néstor Díaz Pérez Stadium in southern Buenos Aires province. Numerous Central fans are surely to  venture from Rosario to accompany the team, buoyed by the recently returned Ángel di María.

AFA trialled away fans at Copa Argentina matchup between Excursionistas and Argentinos Juniors on May 28. Following the successful test without hiccups, the football governing body have fasttracked the return.

However, AFA clarified that the new rules will not extend to Buenos Aires City yet. Tapia told journalists how city security officers will meet next week to discuss how to  apply the regulations to city clubs like Boca Juniors and River Plate. 

“It is an integrative project, it is important so that the return is under the best conditions. Hopefully we head in the same direction and we can begin to work on the possibility of visitors returning to Buenos Aires City,” he added.

The 12-year ban for away fans has been mostly for domestic matches, as international away fans have been permitted to attend Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana games. The Copa Argentina games have seen fans from both clubs, but in a neutral stadium setting.

The last domestic game in Argentina that featured away fans was the Estudiantes-Lanús game on June 10, 2013 at the Estadio Único in La Plata. The match was suspended  at half-time following the death of Lanús fan Javier Gerez during violent clashes with police.

The violence in La Plata prompted a temporary ban on visiting supporters. That initial decision was made permanent after two Boca Juniors fans were killed outside San Lorenzo’s stadium later that year following a clash between factions of the Xeneize’s barrabrava.