Delpo Has a Hooligan Problem
Posted by gauloises1 on December 7, 2009
I wanted to repost this after Maria mentioned it in her comments to this post …
So last week Juan Martin del Potro played Fernando Gonzalez in an exhibition in Rosario, winning 64 75.
Which was all lovely, except that according to this article he fell foul of some football hooligans who accosted him in the locker room, where he was forced to hand over a racquet and some money. JMDP has reportedly said he won’t return to Rosario in consequence.
It all sounds a bit bizarre to me …
AmyLu said
The Argentinean press is reporting that the Elf didn’t actually give the hooligans, which really I can’t think of a better term for them at this point, money but the organizers of the exo did (I guess in place of the Elf).
According to JJ, Argentina has issues controlling hard core fans of futbol teams. They are very similar to organized crime and basically operate with impunity (they have ties to everybody, politicians, management of clubs, and can be incredibly violent). They behave in similar fashion to players of their own “teams,” so I find it rather ironic that they’re considered fans, but whatever. JJ doesn’t think they would have harmed the Elf, as that would have caused quite a scandal, but it was expected/understood that he’d give something to them.
gauloises1 said
How did they get in to the locker rooms?! Presumably not with the collusion of the exo organisers, one assumes.
I can’t quite get my head round this incident, to be honest.
AmyLu said
That’s the main question being asked in Argentina…apparently the event was not very well-organized so I’m guessing there was very lax security in place?
linz said
That’s a bizarre story and I’m really sad Elf had to deal with that, but I’m really here to say: mmmm Gonzo. I can’t wait to root for The Crazy in 2010.
Mlle. Marseillaise (a.k.a Joan) said
That’s so weird and scary. I volunteer to be his bodyguard, although I wouldn’t be a good one since I’d frisk him instead of any potential wrongdoers.
Maria said
That is the most important question: Where the hell was security?? Remember reading in another comment on MTF that they were too scared/useless to do anything. Pretty worrying when you’ve been accosted by people asking you for your stuff….Plain scary period.
I think his next exhibition match is on Dec 21 in Santiago, dunno if he’s playing Gonzalez again though.
lauren said
Recently at Lauren Towers we’ve been discussing how appalling it is that there is no Masters tournament in the whole of South America. But if Argentina’s tennis hero is neither treated with respect or adequately protected in his home country, I’ve got to rethink my stance.
irefusetotellyou said
He should’ve started swatting at them with his 100 mph forehand!
P.S: I know this isn’t a particularly funny situation, but “Delpo Has a Hooligan Problem” is cracking me up.
mrdarnley said
Juan’s finger is crazy long in that photo.
Saoirse said
I noticed that too, an ‘E.T phone home’ moment. Cute. In a Golum kind of way.
Oh Darnley, in the midst of an Elf mugging,you and I always keep our priorities straight, and notice the *really* important stuff. Thank Lord we’re here to bring this up to our fellow New Ballers’ attention.
You’re welcome.