When the Fighting Reached Corregidora’s Pitch

Security personnel opened the gates to the field at Estadio Corregidora so spectators, including women and children, could escape fights in the stands. It was March 5, 2022, and Querétaro’s home match against Atlas in Mexico’s top football league was suspended in the 62nd minute. After several minutes, some of the fighting moved onto the pitch.

Atlas players fled to the dressing rooms, as did some Querétaro players. Others from the home side, including goalkeeper Washington Aguerre, stayed near the bench trying to calm fans. People continued punching and kicking on the field; some carried chairs and metal bars. One person used a knife to cut a goal net. Others destroyed a bench, and fighting also reached the tunnel leading to the pitch.

The reported injury count rose from an initial figure of at least 22 to 26 the following morning. On March 6, Querétaro state authorities said 23 men remained hospitalized, including 10 in serious condition and three in critical condition with very severe injuries. Videos posted on social media showed people on the ground being repeatedly kicked and beaten. Some Atlas fans reported deaths, but none were officially confirmed. Journalist David Medrano Félix, who initially reported 17 deaths, later retracted that report.

Police were present but had been unable to contain the violence. State authorities said the stadium was largely staffed by private security officers. Governor Mauricio Kuri pledged to investigate whether authorities or anyone else had failed to quell the fighting. “The security at the stadium is a private responsibility, but despite that, I recognize that law enforcement was insufficient and did not act with sufficient speed,” he said.

The state suspended five officials, including police and civil-defense employees and people responsible for planning and preparations. Interior Secretary Guadalupe Murguía said the private company partly responsible for stadium security would have its contracts canceled. She also announced that seven injured men would receive a police escort to the state line when they left the hospital, for their protection.

Liga MX’s sanctions, announced on March 8, changed both the match result and the club’s immediate future. Atlas was awarded a 3–0 win by forfeit. Querétaro’s owners were barred from league-related activities for five years, and the club was required to be sold within a year. Home matches were ordered to be played behind closed doors, and supporters groups from both clubs received bans. The league also announced restrictions on clubs providing tickets or money to fan groups, along with a fan-identification program using facial recognition.

No players were injured in the brawl, but Querétaro manager Hernán Cristante said members of his team received death threats afterward. The players released a video condemning the violence. Cristante described them opening dressing-room doors and finding ways to help, while their own families were afraid. “My players have received death threats, they don’t feel safe, their wives are thinking of fleeing,” he said.