Technical failures during Lionel Messi's farewell tribute at Estadio Monumental have sparked a fresh dispute between Club Atlético River Plate and the event organizer, Marketing Sports. The club denies any responsibility for the power cuts and poor sound system that affected over 85,000 attendees during the event on October 8th.
Marketing Sports, hired by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to coordinate the tribute, stated that the stadium's technical operation was under River Plate's team's responsibility. The producer claimed a cut in the power supply provided by the club interrupted the closing performance by Sergio Torres and Grupo Cali. "The operation of sound and lighting at the stadium was managed by Club Atlético River Plate's technical team, outside our direct control," the company explained in a statement.
Trading blame
River Plate responded firmly to these accusations. Club sources indicated that Marketing Sports did not hire electrical generators despite recommendations made to supplement the show's energy demand. The club also denied having prevented the installation of an alternative LED screen on the pitch or a central stage, as the producer alleged. According to River, the Monumental's giant screen had been dismantled on July 8th, long before the official announcement of the Messi tribute on September 16th, and the team had already played its last seven matches without it.
The disagreement also touched on a symbolic moment of the event: the meeting between Messi and River's president, Stefano Di Carlo. It was understood that the meeting, which lasted about 20 minutes and saw Messi receive a special jersey for the club's 125th anniversary and sign one dedicated to the fans, annoyed AFA president Claudio Tapia.
The tribute amid the dispute
Despite the failures, the tribute to the Argentina captain took place. In addition to the act with Di Carlo, the event included musical shows, a drone spectacle, and the tribute in the 10th minute of the friendly match against Benin, in which Messi scored a goal and provided two assists. However, the producer expressed regret that the star, his family, and the fans could not fully enjoy the musical closing due to the technical issues.
This episode occurs as River Plate focuses its attention on the Liga Profesional. The Millonario sits ninth with 13 points after 10 rounds, eight points behind leaders Argentinos JRS. Their last result was a 2-1 defeat to Huracán on September 19th, but their recent form of three wins, one draw, and one loss (LWWWD) shows a positive trend. Forward Tomás Galván, who scored against Huracán, is the season's top scorer with six goals.
The squad now prepares for its next home fixture against Estudiantes de Rio Cuarto, scheduled for October 11th. The visitors, currently 15th in the table, will visit a Monumental where River will seek three points to continue its climb up the standings.
More detail at Clarin Deportes
