These are new images that the world of football could have done without. In Querétaro, a first division club in the Mexican championship, a big fight broke out on Sunday March 6 between supporters of the local club and opponents of theAtlas de Guadalajara, causing several injuries. Back on a dark day for Mexican football.
An official toll of 26 injured after fights in the stands and on the lawn
Everything was going well on the pitch for the Querétaro team, leading after the hour mark (1-0) on matchday nine of the Liga BBVA MX. But that was already too much for the opposing supporters of Guadalajara who, in the 63rd minute of play, turned a football match into a general fight against their local counterparts in central Mexico.
Very quickly overwhelmed by the clashes in the stands, the few security officers present in the stadium nevertheless allowed the public to take refuge on the lawn, which caused the referee to stop the match immediately. On the pitch, fans continued to fight as families with children tried to protect themselves.
The players then went directly to the locker room when the situation became worrying on the lawn of theEstadio La Corregidora. Videos testify to the violence with which supporters were attacked. Following these clashes in the stands and on the lawn, the civil protection services first announced 24 injured. A figure disputed by many present in the stadium.
Derivado de los hechos registrados la tarde de este sábado en el estadio Corregidora, the CEPC informed that hasta el momento no se tiene reporte de personas fallecidas, 22 personas lesionadas, 9 de ellos trasladados al Hospital General y de estos, dos de ellos de gravedad .
— Coordination of Civil Protection of the Estado de Qro (@PCIVILQRO) March 6, 2022
So, on Sunday evening, the governor of the state of Querétaro, Mauricio Kuri spoke at a press conference: “The toll of these events to date is 26 people injured, 24 men and two women, requiring medical treatment in hospital.” And to specify: “Of these 26 people, three have already left. Of the 23 still hospitalized, three are in serious condition..
The Mexican championship suspended until further notice
The clubs reacted directly, starting with the Atlas which demanded, in a press release published on Sunday, the opening “of an investigation to determine those responsible for the violence.” The League has filed several complaints and appealed to the disciplinary committee and the match referees to impose penalties. “exemplary penalties” to those responsible.
“Those responsible for the lack of security measures in the stadium will be punished in an exemplary manner.”
Mikel Arriola, President of the Mexican Football Leaguein a press release.
A little earlier in the day, a few tens of minutes after the stoppage of the match in Querétaro, the Mexican Football League announced that the three other matches which were to be played were canceled. The championship therefore remains on hold for the moment with numerous investigations underway. The interrupted meeting will, as provided for in the regulations, be rescheduled at a later date.
A grim picture four years before hosting the World Cup
Beyond giving a bad image of the championship, these few virulent supporters also degrade that of Mexican football. These regrettable overflows harm the country which, in 2026, will host with Canada and the United States, the Football World Cup.
The National Football Federation and its subsidiaries now find themselves entangled in an international scandal. Their management of the crisis will inevitably be spied on by international bodies just four years from hosting the biggest world football competition.