The Mexican Football League imposed a ban on visiting fans, a day after a violent fight left at least 26 injured in the center of the country that will co-host the 2026 World Cup in football.
“Starting today, the visiting fans will not be able to enter the stadiums,” League president Michael Areola said at a press conference at La Corregedora stadium in Queretaro, where the brawl erupted on Saturday evening.
The clashes began in the stands at the 63rd minute of the first-class match between the local club and Atlas, who came from Guadalajara.
The few security men present were unable to contain the situation, so they allowed the fans to flee to the field, which led to an immediate halt to the match.
While some fans, including families and children, tried to escape, the clashes spread to the field, prompting the players to flee in search of shelter.
The scenes showed someone trying to throw a large package, another hitting a person with a chair, and a third attacking a man with blood on his face and trying to catch pants that fell off his feet.
The players entered the dressing room as the result indicated that Queretaro had advanced with a goal against Atlas, the inaugural league title holder.
“The outcome of the current events indicates that 26 people, including 24 men and two children, were injured, who needed hospital treatment,” Queretaro State Governor Mauricio Corrie said in a press conference.
He continued, considering that the security forces were not sufficient and their reaction was slow: “Of the 23 who are currently in the hospital, three are in critical condition.”
“Even if there are no fatalities, we cannot say that this is not a tragedy,” he said.
FIFA issued a statement describing the violence as “unacceptable and unacceptable”.
“FIFA joins the Mexican Football Association and CONCACAF in condemning this barbaric incident and encouraging the local authorities to bring swift justice to those responsible,” a statement from the international body read.
The Mexican League announced the suspension of all matches scheduled for Sunday, as part of the ninth stage.
In a statement, Atlas Club called for an investigation to be opened to determine responsibility for the violence, and Queretaro Club condemned the violence in its stadium.
Mexico is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with the United States and Canada.