Los Borrachos del Tablón
Encyclopedia
Los Borrachos del Tablón (Drunks of Leaderboard in english) is the barra brava
of the Club Atlético River Plate
. They are considered one of the most violent and feared barra brava group in Argentina, and one of the four most powerful, alongside those of Independiente
(La Barra Del Rojo), Boca Juniors
(La 12) and Newell's Old Boys
(La Hinchada Más Popular). Argentina is a country in which hooliganism became an organized activity.
game against Club Atlético Independiente
a battle against the fans of Indpendiente (not the barra brava) would set the beginning of the end for El Diariero's and Luisito's reign of power. The battle ended with the loss of Christian Rousoulis, an Independiente fan, who was stabbed by members of Los Borrachos . This caused a tense internal problems that split the firm into two leaving both bosses Luisito and El Diariero powerless. Later on, they would face charges related to the Rousoulis case.
neighborhood and it was rumored that they were tied to the political Partido Justicialista. "Los Patovicas," the other group of the firm, was led by two close friends who were on the third lines of the firm prior to 1997. These two were middle class men Adrian Rousseau and Alan Schlenker, who lived in the upper class neighborhood of Belgrano. In 2002, before a River Plate-Newell's Old Boys
game Los Patovicas confronted the Newell's barra brava right outside the stadium in order to show their power and intimidate the group led by El Zapatero and El Monito. As the section's numbers began to increase all the other factions of the firm had no choice but to join Schlenker and Rousseau's side. As president of the Club Jose Maria Aguilar was finishing his first year as head of River, Los Patovicas became the head of Los Borrachos as they cleaned up the section and sent messages to all those with 'bad intentions.' Nazareno one of the members was beaten up as an example because he was stealing from fans in the stadium. Later on the band of Fuerte Apache
led by Martin Stambuli also joined "Los Patovicas". Fuerte Apache
is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the Greater Buenos Aires
.
(River's eternal rival) barra brava, avoided a scheduled battle with Los Borrachos, a move that placed much more respect on River's side. In a 2002 summer Superclasico
(vs Boca Juniors), Boca was up 4-0 in the first half. As Boca's barra brava and fans began making fun of River, Los Borrachos were able to break the hurdles dividing them from the Boca Juniors fans (La 12), injuring many of them.
. The following year while driving up to Rosario
to watch their side play Rosario Central
, Los Borrachos confronted a bus of Newell's firm (one of the big rival firms) on Highway 9, in a battle that killed two Newell's fans. Up to this day, some members of Los Borrachos still face charges because of the deaths. One of the members, close to William Schlenker (brother of Alan), also faced charges because he beat up a university student in a restaurant who was wearing Rosario Central shorts in the Belgrano neighborhood. Apparently the university student was told by the defendant to take the shorts off in that neighborhood, and he responded "C'mon I can't take off my shorts in front of everyone." Another encounter took place in the Copa Libertadores match up against Brazil's Corinthians. The firm beat up police outside the Stadium in Brazil.
. During the games they did not use their assigned seating, causing the FIFA to suspend them from any other games during the World Cup. The firm was able to hire Germany's top lawyers and eventually were able to overturn FIFA's decision. They came back from Germany with pockets full and many believe that arrogance was the start of the decline. When they came back from Germany, the firm went to Paraguay
to see the Libertad
vs River Plate match, for the Copa Libertadores de America
. River down 3-1 in the second half, Los Borrachos began fighting the police. During the fight Los Borrachos were wearing the River Plate Jersey they usually and it was recorded on tape. Paraguay's justice pressed charges against the firm's top bosses.
, and which caused Argentine courts to suspend the stadium for three games. On May 6, 2007, the two groups fought again, this time just outside the stadium after a game, with two people suffering serious knife-wounds, and many others lesser injuries . Later on, they fought again but this time in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart. The night of August 7, Gonzalo Acro (Rosseau's right-hand man) was shot three times as he was coming home from the gym. Acro died a day later. Immediately after his death, relatives and Rosseau, came out to the media claiming Acro was not involved in the War of Power. Media and even members close to Rosseau came out saying that Acro was in fact Rosseau's right-hand man all along and to prove his lack of innocence in the issue they pointed him as the one that stabbed the wheels of the players' vehicles two years earlier, in a game that River lost 3-1 to Racing Club
. Schlenker's side was immediately blamed and accused of the murder, however they denied everything. Schlenker was on the run immediately after the incident as apparently he was hiding in Cordoba
. Most of the members of the firm are currently under custody, however none of them was found guilty yet. In 2009, "El Colo" Luna, who was hiding in Barcelona and Italy, admitted to the murder through a video saying it was an accidental shot that left the gun. He was later found by Italian police and arrested. However, investigators doubt that he was the murderer and most looks point to either William or Alan Schlenker as the murderers.
Barra Brava
Barra brava is a name for organized supporter groups of football teams in Latin America. This style of supporting is very similar to European ultras. It includes standing throughout the match, singing and other enthusiastic behavior. Some barras bravas have developed reputations for hooliganism...
of the Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
. They are considered one of the most violent and feared barra brava group in Argentina, and one of the four most powerful, alongside those of Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División....
(La Barra Del Rojo), Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
(La 12) and Newell's Old Boys
Newell's Old Boys
Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys is an Argentine sports club based in Rosario. The club was founded on November 3, 1903, and is named after Isaac Newell, one of the pioneers of Argentine football...
(La Hinchada Más Popular). Argentina is a country in which hooliganism became an organized activity.
1996: The first rule of terror
Under the leadership Luisito Pereyra and Edgar "Diariero" ("Newspaper Man") Butassi, the barra brava was involved in fights and controversies; however, the intensity of involvement in crime and fight did not compare to today. In 1996 after a River PlateClub Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
game against Club Atlético Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División....
a battle against the fans of Indpendiente (not the barra brava) would set the beginning of the end for El Diariero's and Luisito's reign of power. The battle ended with the loss of Christian Rousoulis, an Independiente fan, who was stabbed by members of Los Borrachos . This caused a tense internal problems that split the firm into two leaving both bosses Luisito and El Diariero powerless. Later on, they would face charges related to the Rousoulis case.
1997-2002: The rise of the "patovicas"
The two sections of the firm were now under the leadership of new faces. One of the groups, led by bosses "El Zapatero" and "El Monito" Saldivia, had their base in ConstituciónConstitución, Buenos Aires
Constitución is a barrio or neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina, approximately two kilometers south of the city's center.It is centered around Constitución Station and the square of the same name and can be reached by subway, by bus and enjoys easy access by car via 9 de Julio, San Juan and...
neighborhood and it was rumored that they were tied to the political Partido Justicialista. "Los Patovicas," the other group of the firm, was led by two close friends who were on the third lines of the firm prior to 1997. These two were middle class men Adrian Rousseau and Alan Schlenker, who lived in the upper class neighborhood of Belgrano. In 2002, before a River Plate-Newell's Old Boys
Newell's Old Boys
Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys is an Argentine sports club based in Rosario. The club was founded on November 3, 1903, and is named after Isaac Newell, one of the pioneers of Argentine football...
game Los Patovicas confronted the Newell's barra brava right outside the stadium in order to show their power and intimidate the group led by El Zapatero and El Monito. As the section's numbers began to increase all the other factions of the firm had no choice but to join Schlenker and Rousseau's side. As president of the Club Jose Maria Aguilar was finishing his first year as head of River, Los Patovicas became the head of Los Borrachos as they cleaned up the section and sent messages to all those with 'bad intentions.' Nazareno one of the members was beaten up as an example because he was stealing from fans in the stadium. Later on the band of Fuerte Apache
Fuerte Apache
Barrio Ejército de los Andes, better known as Fuerte Apache, is a neighbourhood of Ciudadela near the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina.Football star Carlos Tévez, nicknamed El Apache, grew up in this quarter.-Development:...
led by Martin Stambuli also joined "Los Patovicas". Fuerte Apache
Fuerte Apache
Barrio Ejército de los Andes, better known as Fuerte Apache, is a neighbourhood of Ciudadela near the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina.Football star Carlos Tévez, nicknamed El Apache, grew up in this quarter.-Development:...
is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the Greater Buenos Aires
Greater Buenos Aires
Greater Buenos Aires is the generic denomination to refer to the megalopolis comprising the autonomous city of Buenos Aires and the conurbation around it, over the province of Buenos Aires—namely the adjacent 24 partidos or municipalities—which nonetheless do not constitute a single administrative...
.
2003-2006: Becoming the most feared in Argentina
With significant support from board members and outstanding organization Los Borrachos became the most feared and well respected barra brava in Argentina. Other barras bravas admitted this fact and refused to confront Los Borrachos. Transportation, sales, services, stolen flags from other barras bravas, and weapons were evidence of the power of this barra brava. In 2003, La 12, which is Boca JuniorsBoca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
(River's eternal rival) barra brava, avoided a scheduled battle with Los Borrachos, a move that placed much more respect on River's side. In a 2002 summer Superclasico
Superclásico
Superclásico is the name used to describe the football match in Argentina between Buenos Aires rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate. It derives from the Spanish usage of "clásico" to mean derby, with the prefix "super" used as the two clubs are the most popular and successful clubs in Argentine...
(vs Boca Juniors), Boca was up 4-0 in the first half. As Boca's barra brava and fans began making fun of River, Los Borrachos were able to break the hurdles dividing them from the Boca Juniors fans (La 12), injuring many of them.
. The following year while driving up to Rosario
Rosario
Rosario is the largest city in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina. It is located northwest of Buenos Aires, on the western shore of the Paraná River and has 1,159,004 residents as of the ....
to watch their side play Rosario Central
Rosario Central
Club Atlético Rosario Central is a sports club based in Rosario, Argentina. Its football team currently plays in the Primera B Nacional, the second tier of the Argentine football league system, after being relegated in the 2009-10 season....
, Los Borrachos confronted a bus of Newell's firm (one of the big rival firms) on Highway 9, in a battle that killed two Newell's fans. Up to this day, some members of Los Borrachos still face charges because of the deaths. One of the members, close to William Schlenker (brother of Alan), also faced charges because he beat up a university student in a restaurant who was wearing Rosario Central shorts in the Belgrano neighborhood. Apparently the university student was told by the defendant to take the shorts off in that neighborhood, and he responded "C'mon I can't take off my shorts in front of everyone." Another encounter took place in the Copa Libertadores match up against Brazil's Corinthians. The firm beat up police outside the Stadium in Brazil.
2006 Germany World Cup: Build up to the power war
During the 2006 World Cup, Los Borrachos's power was at a peak. They had great relationship with the players, they were in a great financial position (earnings of $ 70,000 a month), and they had the support of the board members. While other barras bravas, such as Boca's and Independiente's, had to stay in places like the Czech Republic and Poland because of expenses, Los Borrachos were able to stay in Munich and some say that the top leaders stayed in the house of Martin DemichelisMartin Demichelis
Martín Gastón Demichelis is an Argentine footballer who plays for Málaga CF in Spain, mainly as a central defender - he can operate as a defensive midfielder on occasion....
. During the games they did not use their assigned seating, causing the FIFA to suspend them from any other games during the World Cup. The firm was able to hire Germany's top lawyers and eventually were able to overturn FIFA's decision. They came back from Germany with pockets full and many believe that arrogance was the start of the decline. When they came back from Germany, the firm went to Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
to see the Libertad
Club Libertad
Club Libertad is a sports club based in the District Tuyucuá of the city of Asuncion, capital of Paraguay. It was founded on July 30, 1905 and currently plays in the Paraguayan Primera División...
vs River Plate match, for the Copa Libertadores de America
Copa Libertadores de América
The Copa Santander Libertadores de América , known simply as the Copa Libertadores and originally known as the Copa Campeones de América , is an annual international club football competition organized by CONMEBOL since 1960...
. River down 3-1 in the second half, Los Borrachos began fighting the police. During the fight Los Borrachos were wearing the River Plate Jersey they usually and it was recorded on tape. Paraguay's justice pressed charges against the firm's top bosses.
The war of power and the murder of Gonzalo Acro
Due to all the power Adrian Rousseau and Alan Schlenker started having their differences to the point where the firm split. After the falling out between the two leaders, there have been serious fights between groups loyal to the different leaders. The most serious one occurred on February 11, 2007, in what has been dubbed "The Battle of the Mud Huts," since it happened on that recreational section of the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio LibertiEstadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti
Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, is a stadium in the Belgrano district of Buenos Aires, Argentina at the intersection of Figueroa Alcorta and Udaondo. It is the home venue of Club Atlético River Plate and is named after former club president Antonio Vespucio Liberti...
, and which caused Argentine courts to suspend the stadium for three games. On May 6, 2007, the two groups fought again, this time just outside the stadium after a game, with two people suffering serious knife-wounds, and many others lesser injuries . Later on, they fought again but this time in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart. The night of August 7, Gonzalo Acro (Rosseau's right-hand man) was shot three times as he was coming home from the gym. Acro died a day later. Immediately after his death, relatives and Rosseau, came out to the media claiming Acro was not involved in the War of Power. Media and even members close to Rosseau came out saying that Acro was in fact Rosseau's right-hand man all along and to prove his lack of innocence in the issue they pointed him as the one that stabbed the wheels of the players' vehicles two years earlier, in a game that River lost 3-1 to Racing Club
Racing Club de Avellaneda
Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football...
. Schlenker's side was immediately blamed and accused of the murder, however they denied everything. Schlenker was on the run immediately after the incident as apparently he was hiding in Cordoba
Córdoba, Argentina
Córdoba is a city located near the geographical center of Argentina, in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas on the Suquía River, about northwest of Buenos Aires. It is the capital of Córdoba Province. Córdoba is the second-largest city in Argentina after the federal capital Buenos Aires, with...
. Most of the members of the firm are currently under custody, however none of them was found guilty yet. In 2009, "El Colo" Luna, who was hiding in Barcelona and Italy, admitted to the murder through a video saying it was an accidental shot that left the gun. He was later found by Italian police and arrested. However, investigators doubt that he was the murderer and most looks point to either William or Alan Schlenker as the murderers.