Extreme violence in Mexican soccer: dozens injured in a pitched battle between fans of Querétaro and Atlas

The horror of the violence in Mexico has also moved to soccer. In what seemed to be a routine Mexican soccer game, a monumental fight broke out in the stands that has left images to be forgotten. The match between Querétaro and Atlas ended in a pitched battle at different points in the Corregidora stadium, two hours from downtown Mexico City. Fans who had no intention of fighting desperately went down to the field of play to protect themselves in the worst aggression that is recorded among fans in Mexico. The footballers of both clubs hit the race directly to the dressing room. Only 62 minutes had been played. After nine o’clock at night, the authorities had not yet reported the exact number of injured, which is thrown by dozens, and no death has been confirmed, despite the fact that various information pointed to it.

The television showed how a family of father, mother and two children ran across the lawn to try to protect themselves. The security of the stadium, deficient and overwhelmed, could not help but guide the fans towards the exit tunnels. Police are not seen in television images. The goalkeeper of the local team, Washington Aguerre, asked his fans to calm down, but without response. On the other side of the field, a fan covered in blood pleaded for them to stop punching him. In the center of the field, an Atletico fan protected his partner from the kicks of a group of outraged men. Outside the stadium the beatings continued, and it can even be seen in videos of fans on social networks, there were fans who ended up bloodied and naked who, despite being knocked out on the floor, continued to receive blows. Total terror and never before seen in a soccer game in Mexico.

“Inadmissible and regrettable the violence in the La Corregidora stadium. Those responsible for the lack of security in the stadium will be punished in an exemplary manner”, condemned Mikel Arriola, the president of Liga MX. Despite the message that was filled with likes, the day of Mexican soccer continued as if nothing had happened. The state governor, Mauricio Kuri, pointed directly against the club: “The company that owns Gallos and institutions must answer for the facts.”

There is no rivalry between Querétaro and Atlas, however, the Roosters had already starred in an episode of violence in October 2019 when their fans began a battle in the stands against the fans of Atlético de San Luis, the Atlético de San Luis franchise. Madrid in Mexico. That time there was only a threat of vetoing the field by the high command of Mexican soccer and they returned to normal.

In 2015, the Atlas Radicals invaded the field in a match against Chivas, their closest rival, with just 54 minutes of play. The bar of the red and black team went down to the field to rebuke their soccer players who were losing 4-1, the police also lost control in the first few minutes, but they managed to protect the soccer players and close the entrances to the field. That time only a dozen wounded and no deaths were counted. The Mexican Football Federation fined the club two games without fans in their stands.

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