Relegation of River Plate to the second category of Argentine association football
River Plate's 2011 relegation was the first in the club's history, marking a defining crisis in Argentine football.
Key Facts
- Aggregate score
- Belgrano 3–1 River Plate
- River Plate's relegation
- First time in club history
- Injured in post-match riot
- 68 people
- Supporters detained
- 50 people
- Belgrano's playoff appearances
- 4th overall (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
River Plate accumulated poor results across multiple seasons in Argentina's Primera División, triggering the promotion-relegation playoff system then in force. Their poor cumulative points average placed them among the lowest-ranked clubs, requiring them to contest a two-legged series against Belgrano of Córdoba, the promoted challenger from the Primera B Nacional.
The two-legged playoff was held in 2011 between River Plate and Belgrano to determine promotion to or relegation from the Primera División. Belgrano won 3–1 on aggregate, securing their promotion. It was River Plate's first-ever participation in such a series, and the outcome confirmed their relegation to the Primera B Nacional for the first time in their history.
River Plate's relegation triggered a violent reaction from supporters, who vandalised club facilities and clashed with police, leaving 68 people injured and 50 detained. The event generated widespread impact across Argentine sports and society, and was described as 'the saddest day in the history of the club', prompting institutional reflection and eventual reform of the relegation system.