Fans protest at under-fire River Plate

Police were called in to disperse hundreds of angry River Plate supporters protesting the club’s slide toward relegation on Thursday.

The famed Buenos Aires club is on the brink of being demoted from the Argentine Primera Division after losing 2-0 to Primera B side Belgrano in the first leg of a relegation play-off on Wednesday.

Fans stormed River’s Estadio Monumental following the defeat, demanding the resignation of club president Daniel Passarella and coach Juan Jose Lopez and hurling insults at the players.

Police were forced to scatter the angry mob with riot shields and water cannons.

Wednesday’s match in Cordoba was marred by unruly behaviour, forcing a 20-minute delay in the second half as furious River fans stormed the pitch to remonstrate with the players.

River, who hold a record 33 league titles in Argentina, need at least two goals in Sunday’s home leg in order to avoid the first relegation in their 110-year history.