Football: fight in a stadium in Mexico, the movement of supporters prohibited
Querétaro and Atlas supporters face off in the stands during a league match in Querétaro, central Mexico, on March 5, 2022 STR AFP/Archives
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Mexico City (AFP) – The Mexican Football League banned the movement of supporters on Sunday March 6, the day after a violent fight in a stadium which left at least 26 injured in the center of the country, co-organizer of the World Cup-2026.
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"
From today, supporters of visiting clubs will not be able to enter the stadiums
," League president Mikel Arriola told a press conference at La Corregidora stadium in Querétaro, where erupted the incidents on Saturday evening.
That day took place a high-risk meeting: Querétaro against Atlas, two clubs whose radical supporters have often distinguished themselves by their brutality.
And yet no particular security measures seemed to have been taken, reports our correspondent in Mexico City,
Emmanuelle Steels
.
The ultras had full latitude to grapple.
After about sixty minutes of play, the crowd fleeing the stands in the grip of fierce clashes took refuge on the field and the players came to the aid of the families, putting them to safety in the locker rooms.
Videos taken by spectators show the scale of a fight involving hundreds of supporters, while security guards stand still.
Some images are unbearable, such as those of the Atlas supporters, curled up on the ground, totally vulnerable, kicked and stripped by those of the opposing camp.
The bestiality of the clashes has led several Internet users and many media to question the official toll: 26 injured, including three who are in serious condition, but no deaths.
Other matches suspended
The International Football Federation, which has entrusted the organization of its 2026 World Cup to Mexico, in partnership with the United States and Canada, protested on Sunday against this “
unacceptable and intolerable
” violence.
“
Fifa joins the Mexican Federation and Concacaf (Confederation of North America, Central America and the Caribbean) in condemning this barbaric incident and encouraging local authorities to quickly bring those responsible to justice
,” adds- she in a statement.
The Mexican Football League has meanwhile announced the suspension of the other matches of the ninth day of the championship which were to take place at the end of the weekend.
“
Those responsible for the lack of security measures in the stadium will be punished in an exemplary manner
,” promised League President Mikel Arriola.
"
The law must be applied firmly
," said Enrique Alfaro, governor of the state of Jalisco, where the Atlas club is located, in a video posted on social networks.
The Querétaro club also condemned the violence.
A supporter throws a can in the direction of others during the league match between Querétaro and Atlas on March 5, 2022 in Querétaro, central Mexico EDUARDO GOMEZ AFP/Archives
Football fans, interviewed by AFP, believe that we must go further.
"
What irritates me the most is that the management of the Mexican Football Federation does nothing, they say that they are going to sanction, but more drastic, more severe decisions are needed
", regrets Ricardo, a student 27-year-old who refused to give his last name.
"
It's very sad, normally families go to see a football match at the stadium with the guarantee that they will not lose their lives
," said David Rocha, a 36-year-old engineer.
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