The organizing company behind Lionel Messi's farewell tribute at the Estadio Monumental has blamed Club Atlético River Plate for the technical failures that marred the event. Marketing Sports issued a statement claiming the club's control over stadium equipment limited their operational capacity and caused a power cut during Grupo Cali's performance.

The producer stated that River Plate removed the stadium's LED screen and did not authorize the installation of an alternative on the pitch to project a tribute video. They also affirmed that sound and lighting were under the club's control, preventing intervention during the failures. The electrical cut occurred during the musical group's first song, after which stadium staff turned on the general lighting, causing the crowd to begin leaving and cutting short the planned closing act.

River Plate's defense

River Plate responded with its own statement, rejecting the accusations. The club detailed that the LED screen was dismantled on July 8, over two months before the AFA announced Messi's farewell match on September 15. River pointed out that Marketing Sports had three weeks to plan with public knowledge of the screen's absence, and that the club played seven official home matches without it between July and September.

The institution stated that sound and lighting operations were the producer's responsibility, and that River only provided a collaborator for stadium announcements and light strips under AFA supervision. Also, the club said it advised Marketing Sports to hire an electrical generator to guarantee supply, but the company declined the expense. River Plate also mentioned that the first technical meeting between the parties occurred the day before the match, suggesting poor planning on the organizer's part.

Club's current context

This episode occurs as River Plate focuses on its Liga Profesional campaign, where it sits ninth with 13 points after 10 rounds. The team has a record of 4 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses, with 13 goals scored and 12 conceded. Their next fixture is against Estudiantes de Río Cuarto, on October 11, at the Monumental.

The tribute controversy adds to a moment of reflection for the club, which looks to consolidate its performance domestically after a recent run of three wins, one draw, and one defeat in its last five matches.

More detail at gnnoticias.com.ar