The Millionaire and the Falcon stood in Núñez as the game was halted after a tragic death, casting a shadow over the event.
An alarming incident unfolded at the More Monumental stadium while River Plate and Defensa y Justicia competed in Day 19 of the Binance Tournament 2023. An official broadcast confirmed a River Plate supporter died following a fall from a stand.
The match experienced two interruptions. The crowd urged the players and officials to acknowledge the accident, and at 26 minutes the referee Fernando Rapallini paused play briefly before stopping the game entirely once the severity of the situation became clear.
The deceased was Pablo Marcelo Serrano, 53, who attended the match with his daughter. Alberto Crescenti, head of SAME, stated that the cause was severe head trauma from a fall of more than 15 meters during the incident, according to DSports Radio and Goal. River Plate expressed its condolences to Serrano’s family and clarified the events through the club’s official channels.
River Plate shared sympathies on social media, noting that the club stood with the family and loved ones of Pablo Marcelo Serrano, a longtime member and fan who passed away during the afternoon’s game.
River Plate’s official update
After the accident, the football safety committee and Club Atlético River Plate released a joint statement. They expressed regret for the loss and described the immediate response on site, including the arrival of medical services, police, and security personnel. The Sivori Alta grandstand, where the deceased held a subscription, was reported to be at about 90 percent capacity at the time of the fall.
Officials confirmed there was no third party involvement or violence observed around the stands at the moment of the incident. Following the responders on site, the stadium was evacuated over the next 30 minutes as part of standard safety procedures.
Security agencies and the Specialized Fiscal Unit for Mass Events, led by Dr. Celsa Ramírez, intensified investigations to determine the full sequence of events. By order of the prosecutor, the gallery was closed for 24 hours to collect evidence and advance inquiries.
The incident has triggered ongoing inquiries and a review of safety protocols to prevent future tragedies in large-scale matches. Authorities emphasize the seriousness of crowd safety and the need for continual assessment of stadium infrastructure and emergency readiness.
In the wake of the events, supporters and clubs alike have been urged to prioritize spectator welfare and adhere to coordinated safety guidelines during high-profile matches. The broader football community is assessing lessons learned to protect fans and ensure swift, compassionate action in such unfortunate moments.