All games have been postponed in Mexico’s top flight in response to the violence
At least 22 people were left injured as violence erupted between rival supporters at a Mexican top flight game on Saturday.
The Liga MX game between Queretaro and Atlas had to be abandoned after 63 minutes as fighting between fans spilled out from the stands and on to the pitch at La Corregidora stadium.
Atlas had been leading the game 1-0 at the time the trouble began. Their players quickly fled to the dressing room as the fighting intensified.
Some of Queretaro’s team, including Uruguayan goalkeeper Washington Aguerre, attempted to speak to supporters to calm the situation. They were, however, powerless to prevent it escalating, with local police since confirming nine people had been taken to hospital – two of which with serious injuries – in the aftermath.
Some of those involved in the fighting were seen wielding metal bars and parts of ripped-out stadium seating. Shocking videos of the violent scenes has been shared widely on Twitter on Sunday, with unconfirmed reports that some supporters had been killed as a result of the fighting.
Some footage appears to show supporters lying unresponsive on the ground as others continue to aim kicks at them.
“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,” the Queretaro state civil protection agency are quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
“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.”
The scenes have prompted Liga MX to postpone all fixtures scheduled for Sunday as a show of solidarity for those affected.
“Those responsible for the lack of the security at the stadium will be exemplarily punished,” the league’s president, Mikel Arriola, tweeted.
“The safety of our players and fans is priority!”
State authorities have since suspended five officials in response to the violent outbreak, as reported by The Athletic.
Related links:
- Chelsea fans chant Roman Abramovich’s name during minute’s applause for Ukraine
- John Terry hits back at MP who criticised his praise for Roman Abramovich
- China ‘to pull Premier League coverage’ over show of support for Ukraine
