IMAGINE IF CHELSEA or Man United were relegated from the Premier League.

River Plate’s relegation on Sunday was the Argentinan equivalent of such an occurrence, as they dropped to the second division for the first time in their 110-year history, going down in front of 50,000 home fans.

The side, who have won the Argentinian league a record 33 times, could only manage a draw with Belgrano de Cordoba, when a two-goal win was needed to ensure their survival.

Despite going 1-0 up, River conceded in the second half, before Mariano Pavone missed a penalty for the home side.

The match had to be abandoned in the final minute due to a pitch invasion from furious River supporters, as police escorted tearful River players away.

The result also led to rioting on the streets, with shop windows being damaged and fires being started amid violent scenes.

Daniel Passarella, the club’s chairman and ex-player, has been under severe pressure lately, with many fans demanding his resignation because of the countless below-par performances he has presided over.

The club are also carrying approximately $19m in debt, with the relegation set to exacerbate their financial woes.

Argentinian daily paper, Clarin, summed up the air of disbelief surrounding the situation, when it wrote: “No-one, absolutely no-one, will be able to forget this day.”