Controversy at Newell's: Six boys were sanctioned for taking a photo with Malcorra.

One photo, six sanctions, and a growing debate. Six kids from the Malvinas Argentinas school, which trains talent for Newell's, were punished with three months of inactivity and the loss of their scholarships after taking a photo with Rosario Central star Ignacio Malcorra. The image went viral, and the club's reaction was swift.

The incident occurred a couple of months ago in Funes, during a match between the Malvinas Argentinas School—an institution that is part of Newell's Old Boys' recruitment network—and Defensores, the team where Malcorra's son plays. After the match, the young players approached the Canalla midfielder and took a casual photo.

The image recently began circulating on social media and sparked outrage among some in the Leprosy community. The school's administration deemed the children had violated an unwritten rule: not to publicly associate with players from the team's classic rival. The measure adopted was clear: three months off from playing and the loss of their scholarship.

The decision sparked criticism on social media and among club officials, as the children were only nine years old. The club stated that the responsibility for what happened lies primarily with the parents and guardians, although the sanction fell directly on the minors.

So far, Newell's has not issued an official statement, although club officials have said it was an "exemplary" measure aimed at strengthening the sense of belonging and avoiding similar situations in the future.

The sanction sparked a debate about the boundaries between sportsmanship and institutional fanaticism. Meanwhile, the youngsters, who only approached a professional role model out of the innocence of their age, will have to watch the training sessions from the outside.

And so, in the name of their colors, they took the ball away from them. Because this time, the derby wasn't played on the field... it was lost in the big leagues' stands.

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