Bottinelli assaulted at training

San Lorenzo’s match against All Boys has been postponed, due to fears over fan violence following a training ground assault on Jonathan Bottinelli.

A former Sampdoria defender, Bottinelli was attacked in Wednesday’s training session by three members of the San Lorenzo’s violent fan base, who were reportedly angry at the Argentine Primera Division club’s loss a day earlier to Arsenal de Sarandi.

Despite the fact that the practice was behind closed doors, the individuals gained access and proceeded to insult and threaten players; and when Bottinelli went over to calm down matters, he was punched in a melee that continued until broken up by other San Lorenzo players.

The fallout from the attack has been swift. Bottinelli, according to ESPN, has told club officials that he will never play for the Bajo Flores outfit again, while the decision was taken to suspend Sunday’s fixture.

The club’s head of security, Alberto Perrone, was also removed from his position, as evidence emerged exposing the former police chief’s close links with the mob involved both in San Lorenzo and the Argentina national team.