The Argentine FA approved the 30-team format of its first division, according to the EFE. The system will start next year, "with the current format of an initial championship followed by a final disappearing, but the dates have not been determined." Some club execs had "put the new format in doubt." At an AFA Exec Committee meeting, however, it was confirmed that 10 teams will be promoted from Argentina's second division to reach 30 teams for next year. AFA President Luis Segura said, "In the coming week, it will be decided whether we play from February to December or if there are zones of 15 to start a long tournament in June." The dispute is "because top Argentine teams want to play transition tournament early in the year to accommodate European scheduling and have a season from June to May" (EFE, 11/12).
ADDRESSING VIOLENCE: CLARIN reported Argentine Security Secretary Sergio Berni addressed "recent episodes of violence" and "denied that the solution would be to suspend tournaments." Berni: "We cannot stop football for three or four violent people, what we have to do is go after them. ... It's not only a matter of passion for a sport because there is a lot of business behind the fan gangs, and a lot of directors know what I am talking about" (CLARIN, 11/12).
