Argentina FA suspend matches with appeal to country to avoid political violence

September 2 – The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has suspended all matches scheduled for today (Friday) following an assassination attempt on the country's vice-president, Cristina Fernández.

The AFA in a statement on Twitter condemned the action which plunged the country into political chaos.

"The Argentine Football Association expresses its utmost rejection of what happened with the Vice President of the Nation, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner," the AFA statement read.

"All matches scheduled for today (September 2) are suspended.

"We appeal to society as a whole, warning that violence of any kind is never the way."

The failed attack happened near Fernández's house. Fernández was surrounded by supporters when she was approached by a man with a gun which he pointed in her face and attempted to shoot twice before being arrested.

The gun, which reportedly had five bullets, jammed.

Fernández, who was president of Argentina between 2007 and 2015, was often accused of fraud and corruption during her political tenure.

Last month, a prosecutor called for a 12-year prison sentence for Fernández for an alleged corruption case, and since then groups for and against her have been demonstrating in the streets of Buenos Aires.

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