An Argentine court has handed down a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence to a football fan involved in a targeted campaign of intimidation against World Cup winner
Details of the Intimidation Campaign
The campaign involved several disturbing incidents in Rosario, a city known for the intense rivalry between Rosario Central and Newell’s Old Boys. Prosecutors detailed that shots were fired near a gated residential complex where the footballer owns property. In a separate, gruesome act, a pig’s head featuring a bullet wound was left outside a real estate agency managed by the player’s sister, accompanied by a note that contained threats directed at his daughter.
Investigators linked the actions to a factional dispute within the Newell’s Old Boys ultras. According to the prosecution, Di Vanni and his associates were paid four million pesos—approximately $2,600—to execute the intimidation. The prison sentence for Di Vanni also accounts for unrelated criminal activities linked to his involvement with the supporters' group. Another individual, 25-year-old Belen Gutierrez, was previously sentenced to three and a half years in June following a plea agreement, while a third suspect remains in custody awaiting trial.
Impact on Di Maria's Career
Despite the severe nature of the threats, Di Maria eventually moved forward with his return to Argentina. The 38-year-old winger rejoined Rosario Central in 2025 and played a key role in the team’s success, helping the club secure the Argentine championship at the conclusion of that year. The legal proceedings mark a significant development in the case, which had cast a shadow over the player's homecoming.
