Juan Sebastian Veron, the golden boy of Argentine soccer until 18 months ago, is now firmly established as public enemy number one in the eyes of the country's supporters.

The Chelsea midfielder was jeered and insulted for 66 minutes during Saturday's World Cup qualifier at home to Chile before being substituted by Matias Almeyda. The game ended 2-2.

One banner at the River Plate stadium read "Veron is English" -- the ultimate insult in Argentina where England manager Sir Alf Ramsey's infamous comment during the 1966 World Cup that the South Americans were "animals" is still remembered.

Along with coach Marcelo Bielsa and striker Claudio Lopez, who were also the targets of insults on Saturday, Veron has been made the scapegoat for Argentina's first round exit at last year's World Cup.

He has still not been forgiven for his dismal performance in the painful 1-0 defeat by England, which earned him a halftime substitution.

DALLYING

Supporters also remember him dallying over a throw-in during the following match against Sweden when Argentina, needing a win to qualify for the last 16, could only manage a 1-1 draw.

Bielsa denied that the crowd's treatment of Veron was behind his decision to take the player off in the second half.

"It's a matter that did not affect the team's play or Veron's performance," he said.

"If there was acceptance or rejection, it seems to be that what has to be analysed here is the behaviour of the public."

Veron, who did not comment after the match, appeared unconcerned by the reaction as he produced a performance that suggested he can put his international career back on track.

The Argentine media agreed on Sunday that his departure midway through the second half, which came with the twice former champions leading 2-1, had a negative effect on the team.

"I don't want to interfere in Bielsa's work or say whether the substitution was a mistake or not, but the team was not the same after he had gone off," said Carlos Bilardo, who led Argentina to victory at the 1986 World Cup and to the runners-up spot four years later.

Nevertheless, Veron will probably be relieved that Tuesday's match against Venezuela is in Caracas -- about 3,000 km from the River Plate stadium.

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