River Plate relegated for the first time

BUENOS AIRES - Argentina's River Plate, one of the world's biggest clubs, suffered the humiliation of relegation for the first time in its 110-year history on Sunday amid violent scenes and the closure of their Monumental stadium.

Rioting "Barrabrava" hooligans caused mayhem inside and outside the giant stadium after a 1-1 draw with Belgrano in the second leg of a relegation playoff condemned the 33-time Argentine champion to Nacional B division next season.

The violence from the fans throwing metal bars and stones left 25 people, including six police officers, injured, with one badly hurt after being hit by a car.