By David Gold
September 12 – Argentina’s national team has been attacked while travelling in Lima prior to a FIFA World Cup qualifier with Peru.
The bus carrying the Argentine squad was pelted by bricks, which smashed windows, although none of the team or coaching staff were hurt.
Police stepped up security operations around the Argentine team hotel following the incident, according to Peruvian newspaper El Comercio, while the Argentina paper Olé reported Argentine football official Juan Carlos Crespi as saying that bricks were thrown at their coach.
Barcelona’s Leo Messi (pictured top), the world’s best player and triple Ballon D’Or winner, was also goaded by Peruvian fans as he arrived at the Argentine team hotel.
They chanted of “Cristiano, Cristiano”, referring to the Real Madrid forward Ronaldo, regarded as the world’s second best player.
Peru and Argentina’s political relationship has been strained since the Cenepa War in 1995.
That was a war between Peru and Ecuador, but Argentina sold weapons to the latter during the conflict.
The Peruvian national team took to Twitter to apologise to their Argentine counterparts.
“As hosts, we offer our most sincere apologies to each and every one of the members of the Argentine delegation,” they wrote.
The incident took place outside the Estadio Nacional where the two teams met last night in a crucial qualifier.
Peru were in need of points as they bid to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1982, and picked up a vital point in a 1-1 draw.
It was a disappointing result for Argentina, who still lead the qualifying section in South America but just three points separate the top six sides.
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