Former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Juan Sebastián Verón has found himself abruptly sidelined—this time not on the pitch, but from football administration.
The Estudiantes president has been hit with a six-month suspension, all stemming from a protest carried out by his own players during the unveiling of a brand-new league trophy.
How a New Trophy Sparked a Firestorm
Argentina’s top division has always been complicated, split into the long-standing Apertura and Clausura competitions—each ending with knockout rounds and each carrying its own trophy.
But this season, the AFA introduced yet another title: an award based on points accumulated across both tournaments.
Rosario Central ended up topping that combined table, making them winners of the new honour.
And with Angel Di María back at his boyhood club, the star winger was front and centre during the low-key ceremony held to present the trophy.
He posed alongside the club president, vice-president and goalkeeper Jorge Broun as they received what many saw as an unexpected mid-season prize.
Estudiantes Make Their Feelings Known
The backlash didn’t take long. When Rosario Central arrived to play Estudiantes in a round-of-16 Clausura match, the home side organised a guard of honour—as tradition dictates—only to turn their backs on the incoming champions at the last moment.
The silent gesture was a clear swipe at the timing and legitimacy of the new trophy.
Within hours, the episode was christened “Pasillogate”—a nod to the Spanish word pasillo for corridor, used in reference to the ceremonial walkway teammates form for champions.
The AFA Comes Down Hard
The Argentine Football Association wasted no time in delivering penalties.
Verón—serving as Estudiantes president nearly a decade after returning for the final season of his playing career—received a six-month ban from all sporting duties.
The players involved didn’t escape punishment either.
All eleven who participated in the gesture were given two-match suser of actually playing football.
And despite the political storm, Estudiantes edged out Rosario Central with a 1–0 win, adding another twist to an already dramatic week.
Di María Chooses Not to Dive In
As for Di María, who has seen more than his share of football drama over the years, he wasn’t interested in stoking the fire.
When asked about the protest, he shrugged it off.
“They did the guard of honour, and then they did what they wanted,” he said.
“That’s their business. We entered the way we were supposed to, and that was it.”
What Comes Next?
With suspensions handed out and tempers still running hot, all eyes are on the AFA, Estudiantes, and Verón himself to see whether this episode fades away—or marks the beginning of a deeper fight over how Argentine football is run.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn