Fans of Queretaro and Atlas clashed violently during a Liga MX match in Mexico on Saturday as local authorities in Queretaro said 22 people were injured.
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The shocking scenes on and off the field led to Querétaro vs. Atlas being suspended as the fans first fought in the stands and that fight moved to the playing surface.
The Atlas players ran to the locker room and some Querétaro players tried to calm the home supporters before retreating.
How did things get worse?
Videos on social media show multiple fights between fans of two teams in Mexico’s top division during the game.
The game at the Estadio Corregidor Querétaro turned into chaos.
At a match in Mexico, a brawl broke out between middle-table player Queretaro and last year’s Liga MX champion Atlas as fans rushed onto the pitch.
Authorities said at least 22 people were injured and nine needed hospitalization.
Read more: https://t.co/rlM3o3ck6l pic.twitter.com/QF9zfDbfKD
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 6, 2022
QUERETARO, MEXICO – MARCH 05: Families leave the field as Atlas and Queretaro fans engage in violent fights during the 9th round match between Queretaro and Atlas of the Torneo Grita Mexico C22 Liga MX at La Corregidora Stadium on March 5, 2022 in Queretaro, Mexico. The match was interrupted in the 60th minute due to violent fights between fans, as a result of which many were injured. (Photo by Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Here are some shots of the scene that unfolded:
Thinking about the situation in Mexico right now, where the violence between Querétaro and Atlas fans has resulted in many people lying unconscious on the pitch and stadium.
A spot on sports in the region. pic.twitter.com/a0dzH5DBe1
— Buzz MLS (@MLS_Buzz) March 6, 2022
Footage from social media showed several people left unconscious on the field, while families fled across the field to escape violent scuffles that broke out at the stadium.
Fans were seen lifting chairs and other objects and hitting opposing supporters with them.
¡La violencia estalló en la #LeagueMX 😡!
😥 The Civil Protection of the State of Querétaro informs about the consuencias de la violence at the stadium of Corregidor.
Enterate cuántos lesionados hay aquí 👉https://t.co/TdT05YVuFK pic.twitter.com/jL1S4TJwDV
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) March 6, 2022
What did Liga MX, FIFA say?
Liga MX did not suspend other games in the league on Saturday, while Mexico’s top division president Miquel Arriola issued the following statement about the scenes of violence:
“Unacceptable and deplorable violence at the Corregidor Stadium in Querétaro. Those responsible for the lack of security at the stadium will be punished in an exemplary manner. The safety of our players and fans is a priority. We will continue to report.”
QUERETARO, MEXICO – MARCH 05: Atlas and Queretaro fans fight in the stands during the 9th round match between Queretaro and Atlas of the Torneo Grita Mexico C22 Liga MX at La Corregidora Stadium on March 5, 2022 in Queretaro, Mexico. The match was interrupted in the 60th minute due to violent fights between fans, as a result of which many were injured. (Photo by Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Liga MX has since released a statement saying Sunday games have been postponed and a full investigation into the Querétaro scenes continues.
Officials from Querétaro and Atlas called for “applying the law with all its consequences” to those who committed acts of violence.
FIFA released the following statement:
“FIFA is shocked by the tragic incident that occurred at the La Corregidora stadium in the city of Querétaro during the match between Queretaro and Atlas. The violence was unacceptable and unbearable. FIFA joins the Mexican Football Association and CONCACAF in condemning this barbaric incident and calling on local authorities to quickly bring those responsible to justice.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by its consequences. Once again, FIFA would like to emphasize that there should be no place for violence in football and we will continue to work with all parties to eradicate it from our game.”
QUERETARO, MEXICO – MARCH 05: Fans fight during the 9th round match between Queretaro and Atlas of the Torneo Grita Mexico C22 Liga MX at La Corregidora Stadium on March 5, 2022 in Queretaro, Mexico. The match was interrupted in the 60th minute due to violent fights between fans, as a result of which many were injured. (Photo by Manuel Velazquez/Getty Images)