Mexico suspends all league soccer matches after massive brawl

Mexico’s top-division soccer league suspended all matches scheduled for Sunday after a massive brawl among fans during Saturday’s match between the host Queretaro and Atlas from Guadalajara, the reigning league champion. “We regret and condemn these events, which run contrary to the spirit of our soccer,” the Mexican Soccer Federation said in a statement.

The Saturday match was suspended in the 62nd minute when multiple fights broke out in the stands. Security personnel opened the gates to the field so that fans, including women and children, could escape the stands.

Queretaro state authorities said 23 remained hospitalized. Ten were in serious condition and three others were in critical condition with severe injuries. They may have been the three men who were seen unconscious or badly beaten on the ground, being repeatedly kicked and pummeled in videos posted on social media.

“What happened yesterday fills me with pain, with shame and a lot of rage,” Queretaro Gov. Mauricio Kuri said Sunday.“i have no words strong enough to condemn the violence, the abusiveness and the senselessness of what happened.”

After the melee broke out, players from visiting Atlas fled to the locker rooms, as did some from the Queretaro side. Other Queretaro players stayed near the bench trying to calm fans. After several minutes some of the fights moved to the field. Some people were armed with chairs and metal bars. One fan could be seen pulling a knife to cut the nets of one goal. Others destroyed one side’s bench and some fought in the tunnel to the field.