体坛英语新闻：Argentina's River supporters sentenced to life in prison

BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Five violent supporters of Argentina's popular soccer team River Plate were on Thursday sentenced to life in prison for the murder of fellow soccer fan Gonzalo Acro in August 2007 in Buenos Aires.

The four condemned to life in prison include Alan Schlenker, 35, and his brother William, 31, both former leaders of a dangerous local gang, and both sons of a wealthy military officer.

Ariel Luna, Ruben Pintos and Pablo Giron, all 35 years old, were also handed down life sentences for what the Argentine court said was their role in "instigating the murder" of Acro, who was shot in the northern Buenos Aires suburb of Villa Urquiza.

A sixth man, Martin Lococo, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the criminal act.

Acro, who was 29 years old at the time, died on Aug. 9, 2007 in the Pirovano Hospital, two days after being fatally wounded when he was shot by the men on his way out of a local fitness center.

River Plate, one of South America's most famous clubs, were relegated this year for the first time in their history.