League officials try to turn the page, get back to football

The Liga MX resumes play tonight, less than a week after the horrific scenes at Querétaro’s La Corregidora Stadium. Ironically, Matchday 10 opens with the Gallos Blancos facing Necaxa in Aguascalientes.

Debate continues about the sanctions handed down by the league in conjunction with the Mexican Soccer Federation (FMF). Some see them as too lenient, while others accept them as a starting point.

The point of contention is the violent supporters’ groups (“barras bravas,” in Spanish). Dismissing calls to ban all “barras” – even at home games – Liga MX officials will begin instituting Fan ID, arguing that identifying each member of the fan goups AND providing sufficient security in the areas of the stadiums where these groups are seated, will suffice.

Some federal lawmakers disagree and a bill banning the “barras bravas” was submitted in Congress this week. Several other proposals were being crafted, including one that would stiffen penalties for rioting in stadiums/sporting venues, another that would limit alcohol sales at sports events and a third that would impose stricter regulations for how such groups operate.

Liga MX hopes to get focus back on the games

As local and federal authorities continue with their investigation of Saturday’s violence (17 suspects had been arrested as of Thursday afternoon), players and officials are trying to get back to the business of fútbol.

That will not be easy. The Querétaro bus was escorted from their installations all the way to Aguascalientes for tonight’s Liga MX game against Necaxa by the National Guard. This after Gallos Blancos coach confirmed that he and his players had received threats, accused of playing a role in the stadium violence.

Liga MX president Mikel Arriola and FMF president Yon de Luisa were invited to meet with the federal Chamber of Deputies leadership committee. Congress wants to hear more about what happened and what steps have been taken to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. That will keep the story in the headlines.

On Wednesday, fans in Guadalajara – home of Atlas, the visiting team at La Corregidora last Saturday – staged a three-hour march and rally demanding justice. Jerseys of most Liga MX teams were visible as the protesters promoted “Peace at football matches.”

U.S. officials were also understandably concerned as Team USA is scheduled to play a World Cup qualifier in Estadio Azteca on March 24. Yesterday, the FMF guaranteed security for players and fans.

The resolute response assuring security conditions at the US-Mexico game irked some Liga MX fans who complained about the lenience of the sanctions while arguing that Mexican officials were more concerned about foreign fans than about Mexican families attending games. There were reports of a petition to boycott the match. That is unlikely.

Of greater concern to the FMF were the rumors that fans were being urged to revive the homophobic chant that has cost the Federation dearly in fines and punishments to demonstrate their disfavor. FMF president De Luisa responded with a warning: Anybody caught violating FIFA’s anti-discrimination regulations will be escorted out of the stadium and banned from all FMF and Liga MX games forever.

Regardless of what the Liga MX and the FMF do to sweep this ugly episode under the rug, it will not – and should not – be allowed to fade into the background.