If you think that Mashemeji Derby and the rivalry between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards is something else, think again after this utterly bizarre news coming from Argentina.Lionel Messi’s boyhood club, Newells Old Boys from Rosario, suspended six youth players for taking a picture with a star of rival club Rosario Central!?According to Ole, six 9-year-old boys from youth teams were suspended for three months for a picture with Ignacio Malcorra. Moreover, their scholarships to the club school were also taken away! The club acknowledged that the photo was taken at the request of some of the children’s parents, who then sent the picture via WhatsApp before the club got word.🇦🇷 Six 9-year old boys at Newell’s Old Boys’ academy have been suspended by the club for three months and had their scholarships cancelled for taking a photo with Rosario Central player Ignacio Malcorra 😳 Too harsh a punishment?! pic.twitter.com/C1szfo6IVG— 📚 Dame Bola (& Tears at La Bombonera) (@BomboneraTears) June 3, 2025 The kids attend Escuela de Futbol Infantil Malvinas Argentinas, the same school Messi and Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach Lionel Scaloni attended years ago. Carlos Panciroli, former club captain and director of the school, said the decision was taken in agreement with the parents. “The kids are the victims because the photo was generated by their parents. This decision is an internal corrective to prevent these mistakes of uploading photos from being repeated. Everyone can do what they want, but not with Newell’s gear. We must respect the crest, the jersey, and that’s why we had to set a precedent,” he said, per Clarin.##NAJAVA_MECA_8963149##On the other hand, Scaloni condemned Newell’s board’s decision.”I saw the photo of the Newell’s boys with Malcorra and honestly, we need to appreciate that they wanted to take a picture with a first-division player. It was something they dreamed of.”It should be something normal. If I had had the chance, I would’ve taken the photo regardless of the jersey.”Hopefully, this serves as a learning experience and there won’t be a suspension, but rather more photos like this. This is the example we should set – Malcorra set the example. This should be a learning experience.”
