Boys, 9, banned for photo with rival player

A simple photo between nine-year-old kids and a professional player has spiralled into controversy in Argentina, after Newell's Old Boys sanctioned their players for posing with Rosario Central's Ignacio Malcorra — a move seen as a shocking escalation of the city's fierce football rivalry.

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BUENOS AIRES —

Newell's, the Rosario club that once nurtured a young Lionel Messi, suspended the academy players from training and revoked their scholarships for three months after discovering their photo with Malcorra, who has been playing for bitter rivals Rosario Central since 2022.

The decision, which club officials framed as a "protective measure" following reported fan threats, has drawn strong criticism from both the public and prominent figures, while Malcorra himself also expressed his dismay at the row.