Fans brawl at Mexican soccer match leaves several in critical condition

An ugly brawl broke out at a soccer game in Mexico on Saturday, and several people are in critical condition because of it.

Numerous fights broke out in the stands during the second half of a match between Queretaro and Atlas, who won the Liga MX last year. The ugly scene spilled onto the pitch, forcing officials to suspend the match. Videos and images on social media showed fans violently attacking one another. Some people were shown being pickpocketed while they were bleeding on the ground.

The clip below shows some of the mayhem:

https://twitter.com/felixthemichael/status/1500271577841037312

There were reports on social media that several people died, but Queretaro Governor Mauricio Kuri said that is not true. He did, however, say that more than two dozen people were injured and three were in critical condition as of Sunday. Kuri added that an investigation is ongoing and there could be attempted homicide charges.

“Even though there are no deaths, we can’t say this isn’t a tragedy,” Kuri said, according to Reuters. “I have been informed that investigation files have already been opened, including for attempted homicide.”

Liga MX suspended Saturday’s game and called off all of the league’s Sunday matches. CONCACAF, which governs the league, called for a full investigation of the violence.

“The shocking acts of vandalism and violence that occurred last night in Queretaro, Mexico, have no place in soccer or in society,” CONCACAF said in a statement. “The Confederation also believes that strong sporting sanctions should be applied.”

This is not the first time fans in Mexico have created an unsafe environment during a match. Mexico is scheduled to host World Cup matches in 2026 along with the United States and Canada. Many are now calling for that to change.