The tension at Newell's is unrelenting and ahead of Cristian "Ogro" Fabbiani's debut as coach against Barracas Central, several banners with harsh messages against president Ignacio Astore and his board of directors appeared hung in various areas of the Marcelo Bielsa stadium and Parque Independencia.
Among the phrases that could be read on the signs were "Go away Astore", "Astore criminal", "Resign all now" and "Elections now", clearly showing the fans' dissatisfaction with the current management.
The climate of hostility towards the leadership has been increasing for weeks, in an adverse sports context that included a heavy defeat in the Rosario derby against Rosario Central and a poor start to the season, with five losses and just one win.
This crisis led to the departure of Mariano Soso and the arrival of "Ogro" Fabbiani, who will try to change the team's direction. However, the focus of the demands remains on the management, and in every home game, chants and insults against Astore can be heard.
The banners were removed by club staff within hours, but the message was clear. To this, another recent event is added: last week, graffiti against Maximiliano Rodríguez, a club idol, appeared on the walls of the indoor stadium, which were also quickly covered up.
Opposition sectors are pressuring Astore to move up the elections to mid-year, although so far there has been no official confirmation about that possibility.
