Argentina cracks down on football fans who burn money to taunt rivals

Corinthians fans broke the Argentine score ahead of the second leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16 between Boca Juniors and Corinthians. Photo: Marcelo Endelli < p>Foreign football fans who taunt Argentina's devastating inflationary crisis by burning banknotes will face up to 30 days in prison.

Fans from neighboring South American countries, primarily Brazil and Chile, are burning and tearing up peso bills to taunt home teams about the value of the Argentine currency.

Argentina's inflation rate topped 115 percent last quarter , making it the third largest in the world, while the poverty rate is 42 percent. More than half of all children live below the poverty line.

The country also experienced a sharp drop in the exchange rate. In February, the central bank introduced a new 2,000 peso note after the value of the 1,000 peso note, previously the largest note, fell to $2.70 (£2.13) in alternative markets.

“ This is a real social disaster for a country dominated by the middle class,” Dr. Julio Montero, researcher at the National Research Council of Argentina, told The Telegraph.

Foreign fans caught breaking the peso now face up to 30 days in prison.

A video posted to Twitter on Wednesday night shows Corinthians fans from Sao Paulo burning bills and making offensive gestures.

Argentina's agency for the prevention of violence in sports said the practice violated existing laws, banning «incitement to quarrel» at a sporting event and «provocation that disturbs public order,» according to local media.

Regular fans will be detained by local law enforcement, and their clubs may also be punished if the problem persists , the body said.

The economic situation has also created turbulence in Argentina's politics and has become a battlefield for its looming elections, which will have a primary this coming Sunday. Last summer, three ministers of economy replaced each other within four weeks.

Voting is legally required, but voter turnout is expected to be reduced amid anger and apathy.

“There are a lot of dissatisfied people, and it seems to me that many are going to stay away, not even put an empty voice,” a 37-year-old teacher named Karina told Reuters.