Just as a flower can grow on a dung heap, so one of football's most
heartwarming stories of the year began with a depressing staple of the
South American game - the mass brawl. It came in the first leg of the
final of the Peruvian Championship.
The away side, San Martin, are something of a curiosity. They were
set up by a university in Lima less than seven years ago and have very
few fans. Last year, when
I saw them in a Lima derby against Sporting Cristal, they had brought a
grand total of 33 supporters across town - plus a dancing mascot
dressed up as a tooth.
Why a tooth? Because the most animated fans of the club's tiny
support base - composed of students from the university - are studying
dentistry.
Despite the lack of backing, this fledgling club were crowned
Peruvian champions in 2007 and 2008. Now, in 2010, they were going for a
third title, up against Leon of Huanuco, who have fans but no titles.
Leon are from the central highlands behind Lima. It was
only in the mid-60s that the Peruvian Championship was extended to
include clubs from outside the capital.
Leon made their first division debut in 1972 and, like many
provincial clubs, have struggled to establish themselves. After a
lengthy absence, this has been their first year back in the top flight.
Coached by former international striker Franco Navarro, they have
assembled an experienced squad and for the first time in the club's
history were in contention to become national champions.
Nerves were jangling, then, when Leon staged the first leg of the
final. When Christian Ramos, San Martin's impressive centre-back,
clashed with Ronaille Calheira, Leon's Brazilian striker, it was the
catalyst for a huge confrontation. Both teams squared up, the
substitutes were off the bench and getting involved, and referee Manuel
Garay needed some time to restore order before sending off four players.
One of them was Gustavo Rodas, Leon's Argentine attacking midfielder.
Now 24, Rodas was something of a child prodigy. He was a star for
Argentina at Under-17 level and featured in the Newell's Old Boys first team at the age of 16.
Perhaps it all came too soon. As the years went by, Rodas did not
make the impact that had been expected of him and drifted first to
Colombia, then to Peru. This year at Leon, he finally made the
breakthrough. For the first time in his career, he was a key figure in a
senior championship. Some rated him as the best player in the Peruvian
league. He scored goals and also set them up as Leon enjoyed their best
ever campaign.
That red card, though, would rule the little attacking midfielder out
of the decisive second leg of the final. Until, bizarrely, he was given
a reprieve. The ADFP, the association of professional clubs that
organises the Peruvian league, absolved Rodas - and only Rodas. The
other three players sent off in the first leg were told they must serve
the customary suspension.
It was an extraordinary decision, with no apparent justification. In
his report, referee Garay stated that Rodas had been sent off for
swinging punches at an opponent. Were the ADFP playing politics? After
all, there was little to lose by rubbing San Martin up the wrong way -
they have hardly any supporters. Even in the second leg, Leon had far
more fans in the stadium, coming down from the mountains for their big
day.
And now they had the chance of watching their outstanding midfield
talent. The first leg had finished as a 1-1 draw. There was everything
to play for in the rematch and now Rodas could make a vital
contribution.
Initially, coach Franco Navarro was pleased to be able to count on
his playmaker but, as the hours counted down toward the big match, he
became increasingly uneasy. Rodas might have been cleared to play but
was this morally correct? Clearly not. He had been sent off and should
serve his suspension.
Navarro gathered his players and persuaded them that his course of
action was the right one. Rodas would not play in the second leg. He
would not even be on the bench. They would have to win their first ever
title without him.
They failed. San Martin won the game 2-1 to secure their third championship. But the victorious coach, Anibal Ruiz,
put the outcome in perspective. One of the game's grand old men, the
Uruguayan Ruiz took Paraguay to the 2006 World Cup. There is nothing in
South American football that he has not seen - but he was truly touched
by what happened in the second leg of the final.
Pablo Vitti (left) scored the second of San Martin's goals in the second leg. Photo: Getty Images
"I want to stress something which is more important than the result,"
said Ruiz. "I have to highlight the gesture of Franco Navarro, which
elevates Peruvian football and gives nobility to our profession."
Indeed, Navarro had the strength to remember one of the great truths
of football, something so central to the essence of the game but which
is forgotten with alarming ease. Football is not just about what you do,
it is about how you do it.
Leon de Huanuco lost the final of the Peruvian championship but they
have won plenty of admirers. Early next year, they will make their debut
in the Copa Libertadores, South America's Champions League. I, for one,
will be wishing them good luck.
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