Chiqui Tapia Pushes for Return of Away Fans on Argentina: “We’re Working to Make It Happen”

During the grand reopening of Godoy Cruz’s revamped Feliciano Gambarte Stadium, AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia reiterated his goal of bringing back away fans to Argentine league football — a long-standing aspiration for many supporters.

“If security authorities have the political will to allow both sets of fans, it will happen,” Tapia told MDZ, expressing the federation’s readiness to move forward. “Fans want to support their teams. That’s part of our football’s identity.”

One promising step came in May, when a Copa Argentina match between Argentinos Juniors and Excursionistas was held at San Lorenzo’s stadium with both fan bases present — a first in over two years in Buenos Aires. The match ended without incident, providing hope that such scenes could return to league matches as well.

Tapia had already floated the idea before the latest Superclásico, questioning why it works in cup matches but not in league play. For now, discussions are ongoing, and the return of away fans remains a work in progress — but no longer just a distant dream.