President Grondona may stand again despite huge mess in Argentine football

The tournament was a real nightmare. 10 of the 190 scheduled matches were suspended or banned because of violent riots, games were played without supporters to reduce risks of incidents, referees and players were menaced and journalists beaten up.

In fact there is one game still to be played between two of the most popular teams in Argentina, Racing and San Lorenzo.

The match was scheduled to be played behind closed doors. But then supporters of the two teams merged to impede the teams as their buses left their bunkers to go to the stadium. Without them, they told journalists, there would be no match.

At the worst moment, Grondona reacted to stop a players' strike, and for the first time he reminded the media of his football pedigree. "Don't forget I am a FIFA vice president".

Grondona has outlasted twelve presidents
As AFA president since 1979,  when a dictatorship ruled the country, Grondona has managed to succeed in seven reelections with only one vote cast against him in 1991.During his 27-year stint, twelve military officers and civilians were presidents of Argentina.

However, Grondona did not show clear signs of wanting to continue before a recent dinner paid by the AFA. There are no opponents in sight to oppose him at the election scheduled for next year although last night Diego Maradona said that ”Grondona has been the best leader but a change is always fine".

The most eloquent Grondona supporter at the meeting was Boca vicepresident, Pedro Pompilio. Boca is one of the two most popular teams in Argentina.

Pompilio told his peers that "the continuity of Grondona in AFA will benefit all of us". And he asked them to "work closely" with him.

Pompilio is, with a little help from Grondona, a member of  FIFA. He acts as a stadium's inspector on behalf of the Zurichorganization.

"I am not a powerful man" said Grondona. "You gave me the power".

And then continued: "Nobody rest because he wants. My place is yours to choose."

Pagina/12 reporter beaten up
Another of the Grondona supporters is Luis Segura, president of Argentinos Juniors, the club that built Diego Maradona's career in the1970's.

At a recent Argentina Junior's match, Segura was interviewed by journalist Gustavo Veiga, from Página/12 newspaper during half-time. During the interview, Segura said that journalist were "like hooligans with formal education".

As Veiga clapped ironically at him and turned his back to Segura, he was attacked. Former Argentinos' player Silvio Carrario saved him from more serious injuries.

Later, Página/12 request a media pass to cover an Argentinos match. The club refused to give it claming "there was no room".

Grondona jr. poised to take over
Grondona normally says that he is running AFA for free. But it is believed that he has been paid US $ 5,000 dollars a month to be vice president for Conmebol (the South American Football confederation).

When he is in Zurich on FIFA business, he is free to spend US$ 500 on a daily basis for representation.

He, for sure, runs the AFA for free. And if he decides not to run again for president, there are some good choices for the sucession.

One would be Julio Grondona Jr. president of Arsenal of Sarandi, one of the teams that play in Argentine' first division football, and one of the people that runs Argentinian national team's committee.

Arsenal was founded in 1957, fifty years ago, by Grondona senior. A long path to abuse of power came from it.