Argentine footballer shot in riot

Violence has become commonplace at Argentine football matches

An Argentine footballer has been shot and seriously wounded by a police officer during a riot between rival groups of supporters.

San Martin player Carlos Ezcurra was shot as he and other players tried to intervene and calm the fans.

Second division San Martin, from the western city of Mendoza, were losing 3-0 to local rivals Godoy Cruz when trouble flared.

Mr Ezcurra was operated on for a punctured lung and broken ribs.

Trouble had flared during half-time of the keenly-fought local contest when angry fans threw rocks onto the pitch

Minutes from the end of the game, rival fans invaded the pitch and clashed on the playing surface.

Players who remained on the pitch tried to calm the fans, before police intervened, firing rubber bullets, and injuring Mr Ezcurra.

The Governor of Mendoza province, Julio Cobos, said he would seek the officer's expulsion from the police force.

Five other officers involved in the disturbances would also be investigated, he said.

Football in Argentina has become blighted by fan violence and hooliganism inside and outside stadiums.