El Rojo explain why they didn’t honour the latest champions in Avellaneda | OneFootball

Independiente hosted Estudiantes at the Libertadores de América for the first round of the Torneo Apertura, but did not perform the traditional guard of honor for Pincha, the current champions of Argentine football. The decision was not an act of rebellion: according to Bulletin No. 6625 from the Disciplinary Tribunal, the guard of honor “in recognition of the team that won a competition” must be performed at the champion team's first home match.

According to this regulation, the tribute should be paid by the visiting team that faces Estudiantes in their next home game: in this case, it will be Boca on Wednesday, January 28 at 22:15. The measure aims to respect the rules, although it has not always been strictly enforced: in 2025, for example, Central Córdoba did not honor Independiente Rivadavia after they won the Copa Argentina.

The guard of honor was also affected by the impact of Estudiantes’ championship on Independiente, as it deprived Rojo of the chance to play in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana, a spot they would have secured if Racing had been crowned champions.

On the other hand, the Estudiantes players who were sanctioned for their altercation with Rosario Central will be able to play, after the Executive Committee decided to grant amnesty to all punished footballers. Thus, the match was played as usual, without the traditional tribute, but in compliance with current regulations.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.