“Chiqui Tapia, rat”: River fans turn their anti-AFA chants into a Sunday ritual

At River Plate’s Monumental stadium, the anti-Claudio Tapia chants now begin before the match has even started. From the Sívori Baja stand, where many of the club’s supporters gather, the songs spread through all four sections of the ground.

The first chant says, “Chiqui Tapia, rat,” then accuses the AFA president of supporting Boca. Supporters followed it with a newer refrain introduced during the match against Vélez: “Chiqui Tapia, see if you realize that nobody wants you.”

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Chiqui Tapia, rat, Chiqui Tapia, rat, you support Boca, damn you.

River fans have insulted and sung against Tapia at every home match since the Torneo Clausura began. Their anger intensified after the club decided not to take part in Executive Committee meetings. They also believe River suffered from several controversial refereeing decisions, particularly in the latest Superclásico against Boca, when officials did not award a penalty for what the club considered a clear push by Lautaro Blanco on Lucas Martínez Quarta.

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Chiqui Tapia, see if you realize that nobody wants you.

Club president Stefano Di Carlo has also criticized the referees. A week later, a banner targeting him appeared near Barracas Central’s stadium while Tapia attended a match at the ground named after him. River supporters have since reacted to disputed decisions in Boca matches as well, including Boca’s listing of six foreign players in its Copa Argentina match against Vélez. Vélez formally requested the points and qualification.

Criticism has also reached Federico Beligoy, head of the National Refereeing Directorate, while Lanús president Nicolás Russo has defended Tapia’s position. Former River president Rodolfo D’Onofrio took the opposing view, saying clubs should tell Tapia what they reject and “have the courage, not be afraid.” At the Monumental, supporters continue to make that challenge through their chants.

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What clubs have to do at this moment is tell the AFA president what they disagree with and what they think is wrong. That is what clubs have to do: have the courage, not be afraid.