River Plate supporters turned on the players, manager Eduardo Coudet and the club’s board after a 1-0 home defeat by Rosario Central in the third round of the 2026 Clausura, with some fans calling for the return of former manager Ramon Diaz.
The atmosphere at the Monumental was tense from the outset. Several River players were met with loud jeers as their names were announced by the stadium announcer, while Coudet also faced criticism from the stands, although the hostility directed at him was comparatively less intense.
The only goal came through an own goal by Nicolas Otamendi, who inadvertently sent the ball into his own net. The incident intensified the anger inside the stadium, with supporters responding by singing: “Come on River, come on…” The chants later gave way to sustained whistles at half-time as frustration grew over the team’s performance.
River Plate had opportunities to level the match, but the visitors came close to doubling their advantage when Giovani Cantizano led a dangerous counter-attack. That moment further inflamed the home crowd.
Chants aimed at the players and the club’s hierarchy spread around the stadium before reaching a peak with the unified cry: “They must all go.” When the final whistle was blown, the jeering was described as reaching an unprecedented level.
The anger continued in the corridors and concourses of the Monumental, where a group of supporters sang: “Let us all sing for Ramon’s return…” The chant referred to Ramon Diaz, who has been without a club since leaving Brazilian side Internacional last year.
Diaz has a distinguished history with River Plate, having managed the club during three separate spells between 1995 and 1999, 2001 and 2002, and 2012 and 2014. During his time in charge, he won seven domestic trophies and two continental titles, including the Copa Libertadores in 1996.
The defeat was River Plate’s fifth consecutive loss in competitions organised by the Argentine Football Association, making it the club’s worst run of results in the professional era. The sequence began with defeat by Belgrano in the Apertura final and continued with a loss to rivals Boca Juniors in the Superclasico.
Supporter dissatisfaction dates back to the end of last year, when the team failed to meet expectations despite Marcelo Gallardo still being in charge. The club dismissed its most successful manager at the start of 2026 and appointed Coudet as his replacement, but results continued to deteriorate even though River Plate reached the Apertura final.
The criticism was not confined to the coaching staff and squad. Supporters also directed their anger at the current board, which took office in November. They blamed the administration for the team’s decline and criticised “the high price paid for signings that failed to provide the expected contribution”, as well as what they described as “the mistreatment of the bin rejects”.
It was the first time the new board had faced such a volume of criticism and hostile chanting since taking control of the club. The scenes point to a widening sporting and administrative crisis that threatens the stability of one of Latin America’s most historic clubs.
