JAKARTA – The Mexican League soccer match between Queretaro and Atlas claimed lives. Two people were reported dead and more than 20 others had to be taken to hospital.
The fight took place about an hour before the match at the Corregidora Stadium on Saturday local time began. The chaos then peaked after Atlas scored in the 60th minute through Julio Furch.
Initially a Mexican media report claimed as many as 17 people were killed. However, officials from the Querétaro State Civil Protection Coordination later clarified that 22 people were taken to hospital, while two were in critical condition.
"The rest are stable. It should be mentioned that all of the injured were male and at this point it has been confirmed that four people are from the state of Jalisco,” the report said.
Riots between supporters made the organizers have to stop the match in the 62nd minute.
Several reports indicated large groups of supporters rushed onto the pitch and started attacking each other. Some of them used the chairs and iron bars in the stands as weapons.
The chaos caused the players who were on the field to immediately flee to their respective locker rooms. Meanwhile, the security forces moved quickly to open the gate so that supporters who were present with their families and small children could run to find a safe place.
Mexican League president, Mikel Arriola, immediately opened his voice over this incident. Through a tweet on his personal Twitter, he said that this incident would not be allowed and regretted the level of security at the stadium.
"Those responsible for the lack of security in the stadium will be punished in an exemplary manner. The safety of our players and fans is a priority!” Arriola wrote.
Even though the League has announced that an investigation into this tragedy will be carried out soon.
Atlas, the reigning league champions, is Queretaro's rival and has been in a fierce rivalry for decades.
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