Liga MX Issues Sanctions After Violent Riot

Mexico’s Liga MX has issued sanctions in response to brutal attacks on March 5 at Corregidora Stadium among fans of Queretaro and Atlas.

The riot, which reportedly left more than 20 hospitalized, broke out during a match and spilled onto the field, ultimately suspending the match, as well as other Liga MX matches scheduled to take place that weekend. Liga MX will resume play on March 11. 

The league and its owners collectively crafted the sanctions. 

• Queretaro has been fined $70,000 and will play home games with no fans for a year.
• Current management and owners of Queretaro are suspended for five years.
• Traveling fan groups have been banned, and a new fan ID system has been integrated.
• All those convicted in the riot will receive lifetime bans from the league. 

In response to the violence, a group of fans urged FIFA to consider removing Mexico as a co-host for the World Cup in 2026, comparing the situation to organizations leaving out Russian athletes in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Trending Upward

Liga MX is the most-viewed soccer league in the U.S., more than doubling the average viewership of MLS matches. For the 2021 season, Liga MX averaged 845,000 viewers on Univision compared to 355,000 MLS viewers on ESPN and FOX.

The popularity has led to growth for the league and its teams. Last month, a trio of investors purchased a 10% to 15% stake in Club Necaxa, valuing the franchise at $200 million.