Argentina: Daniel Passarella resigns as president of River Plate

Daniel Passarella, who said he would not stand for the presidency of River Plate (Primera Division, Argentina), on the 11/12/2013, officially left office on the 15/12/2013, at the end of his mandate. The former player highlighted his dispute with Julio Grondona, president of the AFA (Argentine Football Association) and vice-president of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), in justifying his departure.

"I will not show up for the elections, because my presence would harm River Plate," said Daniel Passarella on the 11/12/2013. "To punish a rebel who said that things should be done differently, the AFA punished the 17 million River fans by sending the team to the second division, lamentably."

Passarella was referring to a conflict with Julio Grondona, on the 17/05/2011, over a disagreement on the refereeing of a match. "I went before the Executive Committee of the association and I asked for the resignation of Grondona, in front of everyone. I told them what I had to say, which is actually still ongoing. Football management in Argentina is a disaster."

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