"The league traditionally has two championships, the Apertura (opening) and Clausura (closing) tournaments -- both of which use playoffs to determine the winners. But it took Argentina by surprise last Thursday by establishing the title of 'League Champion' for the team that accumulated the most points in the overall standings. Central amassed the most points (66) in total from the regular phases of the Apertura, which Platense won earlier this year, and Clausura. Star forward Ángel Di María accepted the trophy last week."
"Estudiantes was the only team to publicly reject the decision, denouncing the fact that the measure was not put to a vote, as required by the regulations. The Estudiantes players were required by the AFA to form the traditional guard of honor for the champions when both teams entered the Gigante de Arroyito stadium in Rosario on Sunday for first match of the Clausura tournament. Instead, the visiting players turned their backs on the newly-crowned champions, a gesture unprecedented in Argentine football."
"All eleven players taking part in the protest before the Clausura tournament round of 16 match have also been banned for two matches, with the 'reverse' guard of honour taking place three days after the controversial decision by the Argentine football authorities to award Central a new trophy, created after the regular season had ended. The league traditionally has two championships, the Apertura (opening) and Clausura (closing) tournaments -- both of which use playoffs to determine the winners."
The Argentine Football Association suspended Estudiantes de La Plata president Juan Sebastián Verón from all football-related activities for six months following a players' protest. Eleven Estudiantes players who turned their backs on Rosario Central in a guard of honour were banned for two matches. The protest occurred after the AFA controversially created a 'League Champion' title for the team with the most combined points; Rosario Central accumulated 66 points and Ángel Di María accepted the trophy. Estudiantes publicly rejected the measure for not being voted as required. Estudiantes won the match 1-0 and the disciplinary panel confirmed the punishments.
Read at ESPN.com
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