8 Argentinian Rugby Players Face Murder Charges in Controversial Trial

• The long-awaited murder trial of eight Argentinian rugby players is about to begin
• They are accused of beating 18-year-old Fernando Baez to death in January of 2020
• The crime shocked the South American nation, causing a near schism in its wake

The alleged murderers of 18-year-old Argentinian Fernando Baez have appeared in court.

Eight rugby players are accused of beating the teenager to death in January 2020 outside of a nightclub. The incident occurred in the popular seaside resort of Villa Gesell in the Buenos Aires province.

The Citizen reported that two groups of people were thrown out of the venue before the attack occurred. The players - from Zarate - then allegedly set upon the unfortunate Baez, with the incident being caught on surveillance cameras as well as on a cell phone.

Prosecutor Juan Manuel Davilia stated in a Dolores court:

Argentine Government declare public holiday to celebrate World Cup's success

Football

"They continued to strike him even when he was practically unconscious, causing injuries that resulted in death. They took the decision to kill and they killed.”

Making things worse is that among the more than 150 witnesses expected to testify, several claimed that Baez's alleged killers racially abused him during and after the incident.

What does not help social cohesion in the South American nation is that rugby is seen to be a sport of the wealthy, while the rest of the country lives for football.

Italian rugby in racism row

An unnamed player has been suspended for a racist joke that was aimed at his Benetton Treviso teammate, Cherif Traore.

The player in question sent the Guinean-born Italian national prop a rotten banana, as part of the team's Secret Santa gift-swapping Christmas tradition.

Argentina star's impressive World Cup raises concern from his club

Football

The connotations of the gift, believed to be racist in nature, did not go down well no matter the intentions of the prank.

Fan mistakenly bets on Argentina

A football fan had an absolute howler, after he predicted Argentina would win the World Cup - only in rugby.

The fan inadvertently placed the bet thinking he had gambled on the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France.

The South Americans are not quite as good in rugby as they are at football, although they are ranked eighth in the world.