Copa GNP kick-starts Liga MX in fine fashion
Fans eagerly tune in after going 107 days without game action.
Fans in Mexico were delighted to see the return of soccer this past weekend with 4 million people tuning in to watch two preseason matches on Friday night. It helped that América was one of the four Liga MX teams in action, cruising past Toluca 2-0 in their Copa GNP opener.
Viewership for the Saturday games which featured the wildly popular Chivas (against crosstown rival Atlas) and a duel between Mexico City clubs Cruz Azul and Pumas were not available at the time of this writing.
The second round of games in the made-for-TV Copa GNP takes place Tuesday and Wednesday. One thing we’ll be keeping an eye on is how well teams adhere to the health protocols put in place so as to win authorization to resume play.
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Liga MX and Health Ministry officials compiled a list of 53 points that must be observed. These include no fans in attendance, a limit to the number of media and TV personnel, sanitation and sterilization of the locker rooms, reducing contact between players before and after the game.
Rule No. 45, however, is one that was largely ignored and Gerardo Velázquez de León took exception to this. Coaches and bench players are required to wear masks throughout the game, and the Universal Deportes columnist argued that fines should be imposed if this is ignored again.
Coaches Miguel Herrera (América), Rafa Puente (Atlas) and Marco Antonio Ruiz (Tigres) did not wear masks and Cruz Azul’s Robert Siboldi and Guadalajara’s Luis Fernando Tena spent portions of their games without masks. At one point, Chivas subs could be seen sitting in the stands without masks on.
In contrast, Mazatlán FC coach Francisco Palencia and Toluca manager “Chepo” de la Torre modelled the behaviour that will help reduce the impact of this virus – wearing their masks on the bench and when standing at the touchline.
The point Velázquez de León makes is that since soccer players and coaches are so revered in Mexico, their actions could have a direct impact on the public. The poor messaging is extremely counterproductive, especially as the Covid-19 death toll in Mexico continues to climb (now at No. 5 worldwide with more than 31,000 victims).
Tuesday night’s games feature Atlas vs Mazatlán in Guadalajara followed by a Capital Classic as América takes on the Pumas at UNAM’s stadium. Let’s hope the maintenance crew has things under control at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario which has seen stadium lights go out in both games thus far during the Cup.
Next. Copa GNP launches Liga MX return. dark
Wednesday night sees Cruz Azul tangle with Toluca in Mexico City with Guadalajara doing battle with the Tigres in the nightcap. The third and final round of the group stage of the Copa GNP is set for Saturday and Sunday.