SOUTH OF THE BORDER, SOCCER FANS TAKE THE GAME SERIOUSLY ... VERY, VERY SERIOUSLY

Mexican football league suspended after match turns into BLOODBATH: 'Up to 17' fans killed and 'at least 26' injured after fights break out in stands as supporters beat up rivals and strip them NAKED

 

By Stewart Carr and Alastair Talbot 

Daily Mail

March 6, 2022

 

 

Panicked spectators were seen in viral footage running onto the field as the fighting broke out in the stands 

Mexico's top-division soccer league suspended all matches scheduled for Sunday after a massive brawl among fans during Saturday's game between the host Queretaro and Atlas from Guadalajara, the reigning league champion.

'We regret and condemn these events, which run contrary to the spirit of our soccer,' President of the Mexican Soccer Federation Mikel Arriola said in a statement.

The suspension affected three matches scheduled for Sunday and it remains unclear if it will go on for longer. Dailymail.com has contacted the Liga MX for comment.

'What happened yesterday fills me with pain, with shame and a lot of rage,' Queretaro Governor Mauricio Kuri said Sunday. 'I have no words strong enough to condemn the violence, the abusiveness and the senselessness of what happened yesterday.' 

Mexico's top-division soccer league suspended all matches scheduled for Sunday after a massive brawl among fans during Saturday's game between the host Queretaro and Atlas from Guadalajara, the reigning league champion 

 

Fans of Atlas and Queretaro fight in the stands during the 62nd minute of the game at La Corregidora Stadium in Queretaro, Mexico, yesterday

 

An injured man is evacuated after fans clashing during a Mexican soccer league match between the host Queretaro and Atlas

 

At least 26 people were brutally injured - two of them seriously - according to ESPN. Unconfirmed reports are circulating that up to 17 people could have died attending the game.

The match was suspended in the 62nd minute when multiple fights suddenly broke out in the stands - with men seen tearing off the jerseys of their rivals. 

Security personnel opened the front gates to the field so that fans, including women and children, could escape the stands.

Players from visiting Atlas quickly fled to the locker rooms as did some from the Queretaro side. Other Queretaro players, including Uruguayan goalie Washington Aguerre, stayed near the bench trying to calm the fans. 

Shocking footage shared online shows bloodied fans - some of them stripped naked - lying unresponsive outside the ground as others continue to kick and punch at them.

 

Queretaro and Atlas ended up invading the field and throwing metal bars and other objects at each other

 

A man is led away to safety by a Atlas staff member after fans of Queretaro and Atlas clashed

 

After several minutes fighting in the stands, some of the fights moved on to the field where they continued punching and kicking. Some revellers were armed with chairs and metal bars.

One fan could be seen pulling a knife to cut the nets of one goal. Others destroyed one side's bench and some fought in the tunnel to the field.

'So far there is no report of deaths; 22 people injured, nine of them taken to the General Hospital and of these, two are critical,' said the Queretaro state civil protection agency. 

'The rest are stable. It should be mentioned that all of those injured are male and at this moment it's been confirmed that four were from the state of Jalisco.'

Guadalajara is the capital of Jalisco.

The league condemned the violence in a message on its official Twitter account. League President Mikel Arriola said the game would not be resumed Saturday. He said those responsible for the lack of security in the stadium would be punished.

Football fans responded with widespread disgust when pictures and videos of the affray were shared on social media.

Chris CC Lopez added: 'I'm Mexican and I think Mexico should be disqualified from the Qatar World Cup 2022, and removed from hosting duties in 2026.' 

Female player Miah Alexia Zuazua tweeted: 'I am disgusted by what happened today at the Querétaro vs Atlas game. This sport is supposed to bring families and other people together to enjoy the beautiful game.'

 

The mass brawl sent families and other peaceful fans running on to the pitch for safety

 

People were beaten in the seating area of the Corregidora stadium, leaving at least 26 injured

 

Multiple people were injured in the mass brawl, including two critically, as FIFA is urged to investigate the incident 

 

Some fans were wrestled to the ground as they fought supporters from their rival teams

 

Atlas has also had issues recently with violence among its fans. Last year, the 'classic' with crosstown rival Chivas saw a brawl in the stands.

'Unfortunately, what is happening in Queretaro ...is happening in my country,' said Rafael Marquez,a former captain of the Mexican national team who started his career with Atlas and later became its coach.

Graphic videos and photos circulated on social networks showing apparent fans motionless on the ground, in some cases stripped naked and covered with blood.

Queretaro Gov. Mauricio Kuri condemned the violence and said the owners of the Queretaro club would have to answer for what happened.

'I have given instructions that the law be applied with all of its consequences,' he said.