1949 Argentine Primera División

The 1949 Argentine Primera División was the 58th season of top-flight football in Argentina. The season began on April 24 and ended on February 16, 1950.Argentina 1949
by Osvaldo Gorgazzi at RSSSF.com

Atlanta and Ferro Carril Oeste returned to Primera, while Lanús was relegated. Racing won its 10th league title.

For the first time, the AFA established as mandatory the use of squad numbers for Primera División matches. Displayed on players' backs, shirts had to be numbered from 2 to 11 so this rule was not mandatory for goalkeepers. The system entered into force since the 9th fixture on June 26.

Relegation system had been established in Argentina in 1937, when it was ruled that the worst placed teams would be relegated to Second Division. Due to the 1948 players' strike demanding better working conditions, relegations were suspended until the conflict was solved.A 75 años de la huelga más larga de la historia del fútbol argentino
''Clarín'', 2024 As the championship continued normally and the Ministry of Labour ruled the maximum salary for football players would be mn$ 1,500,Historia del fútbol argentino, por Juvenal. Capítulo X (1946–1950)
''El Gráfico'', 12 Nov 2019 several players emigrated in search of better opportunities, most to Colombia which was not affiliated to FIFA by then. Some of the most notable footballers that emigrated were Adolfo Pedernera, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Pipo Rossi, Antonio Sastre, René Pontoni, and Julio Cozzi.HISTORIA DEL FÚTBOL. La huelga de futbolistas de 1948
by Raúl Mario Herrera on ''La Izquierda Diario'', 24 Feb 2015"Argentina: 1ra. División AFA 1949" by José Carluccio on ''Historia y Fútbol'', 9 May 2009website,

Relegations came back for the 1949 season, with only one team to be relegated. Nevertheless, few weeks before the championship ended, the AFA established that in case of Boca Juniors (which made the worst performance in the club's history)Campeonato 1949
on ''Historia de Boca''.com.ar or Huracán finished in the last position, relegations would be annulled. This decision was based on the poor campaign of both teams in the tournament.
on ''Clarín'', 21 Dec 2021 In the last fixture, Boca beat Lanús 5–1 and could avoid relegation. As Huracán defeating arch-rival Banfield 1–0, Lanús and Huracán finished in the last position, with 26 points each. As goal difference did not count, they had to play a series to define which team would be relegated to the Second Division.

League standings

Runner-up playoff

Both River Plate and Platense finished 2nd. with 43 points and played a two-legged series to define the runners-up, in neutral venue.

First leg

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Second leg

Relegation series

As Huracán and Lanús finished both in the last position, a two-legged series in neutral venues (no goal difference allowed) were conducted to define which team would be relegated.

First leg

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Second leg

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Playoff

With 2' remaining, Vigo scored the 4th. goal for Huracán, but referee Bert Cross annulled it after an indication by assistant Parker. Following that, the Huracán players left the field in disagreement with the decision. As they refused to come back to the field, Cross finished the match, and the extra time could not be carried out. Huracán players alleged they were waiting for the overtime in the dressing room until they heard the match had been suspended. On the other hand, Lanús requested the AFA they were declared winners according to rules. Nevertheless, on January 12 the association stated it was the referee who had been finished the match on his own therefore no punishment for Huracán players was conducted. The body also stated that Cross was not aware of the rules in case of the tie, and that was the reason he finished the game. As a result, a fourth match would be scheduled to define which team would be relegated. In case of a tie, two extra times of 30' each would be played."Descenso 1949, Huracán v. Lanús", 5 Sep 2014

Playoff rematch

When the referee awarded Huracán a penalty kick after a doubtful foul, the Lanús players did not allow Huracán make the kick. The referee decided to suspend the match with 10' remaining. The AFA's Disciplinary Court ruled in favour of C.A. Huracán, declaring them winners of the series so Lanús was relegated to Primera B.Los Globetrotters
on lanus.com.ar Unlike the previous match, rules were strictly followed and Lanús lost points due to their players abandoned the field.

Aftermath

Due to its irregularities, the event has been defined as "... one more immorality in the long series of shameful events that the history of Argentine football contains".,
Historias Negras Del Futbol Argentino
' by Alejandro Fabbri, Capital Intelectual Ediciones, published Apr 2008 –
by Marcelo Calvente on ''La Defensa Digital'', 21 Apr 2020 and "shameful",El día en que la AFA "falló" a favor de Huracán
on ''Perfil'', 17 Jul 2009 highlighting the controversial decisions from AFA's Disciplinary Court, using adjectives like "outrageous" to define it.Historias Inconfesables: El descenso de Lanús en 1950
by Carlos Aira on ''Abrí la Cancha'', 13 May 2016

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1949 Argentine Primera Division
Argentine Primera División seasons
Argentine Primera Division
Primera Division