Liga MX brawl: Queretaro manager says players have received death threats; 10 arrested after incident
Tue, Mar 8, 2022
Soccer News (AP)
Hernan Cristante, manager of Mexican soccer club Queretaro, says players on his team received death threats after brawls took place between fans and went onto the pitch at Estadio Corregidora on Saturday. The incident -- which happened during a Liga MX game between Queretaro and Atlas -- left 26 people hospitalized, with three injured critically.
Of the 26 in the hospital, 19 have been released. According to local reports, 10 arrests have been made. Authorities have arrest warrants out for 15 people involved in the incident. No players were injured, but they have since become the target of threats, according to Cristante.
"My players have received death threats, they don't feel safe, their wives are thinking of fleeing," he said, "We didn't do anything, [the players] helped people, they opened the dressing room doors, they found ways to help. It wouldn't be out of place if someone didn't want to continue [playing], the club is heartbroken."
The players released a video saying they are "saddened by the events that occurred last weekend," while categorically condemning those involved in the brawl.
Cristante told fans that flooded onto the field to "get them outside," saying he was attempting to stop the chaos rather than induce more violence. The coach told reporters, "The [attackers] said 'let's get them' and they wanted to enter the tunnel and I told them there will be a tragedy, I took them to the other side and I said 'yes, yes get them outside.'"
"Van a suspender la cancha. Vamos afuera, los reventamos. No pasa nada"
- Gerardo Velazquez de Leon (@gvlo2008) March 7, 2022
Reprobables palabras de Hernan Cristante pic.twitter.com/J36Ys3S1n4
FIFA has spoken out, saying it was "shocked at the tragic incident that took place." FIFA added that the violence that occurred is "unacceptable and intolerable."
Atlas coach Diego Cocca also spoke out against the attack, saying, "We grew up with and believe in the values of sport, which is why we are here together, because we want football without violence and in peace."
Mikel Arriola, Liga MX president, suggested during a club owners meeting on Tuesday that fans of both teams involved would be banned from their team's away games. Ten people been arrested by state authorities in central Mexico, per the Associated Press.
