Narco Blog: The Drug War Comes to Soccer Stadium

Santos Laguna and Monarcas Morelia were prepared to play a soccer game on Sunday in Estadio Corona Territorio Santos Modelo. With over 12 thousand fans supporting the teams, frustration was high with the 0-0 score. In the 40th minute, everything changed as terror set in when shooting started. Immediately, the players left the field, everyone was running, children were crying and nobody could understand what was happening.

Thousands of others watched the game on TV or listened on radio, had also witnessed the shooting live. This is something historical and never before seen at a game of soccer. The commentators could not believe what was happening as chaos broke out.

The broadcasting team of the Department of Sports Multimedia Laguna, local television, imagined first that there had been some other type of problem, as typically happens, not imagining that it was a shootout, “ There is a fight, something happened, the people are jumping onto the field, something has definitely happened. Gunfire was heard in the stadium now people are throwing themselves down. The boys are down in the tunnel at this time, the referee has left the field as well. The blasts are coming from my side. Side. I am hearing the shots, people are squatting. Right now, I’m under the bench, the shots are just behind me. I hear an ambulance siren; people are under their seats. More shots followed, and there is broken glass, there are screams in the area of the stairs, Civil Protection people and are telling people to evacuate the stadium, now people are starting to leave the Territorio Santos Modelo, through the tunnel.
“Said one of the journalists.

To the surprise of many, gunshots ruined this game of football, “Well, Gosh what a pity, sadness and dismay are what we are feeling here at the Estadio Corona. Terrible acts of violence are being seen at this point in the Estadio Corona. I feel fear, fear, fear of what is happening right now on something that had never happened in a Mexican football stadium, “said a commentator during the live broadcast, Monarcas Santos, completed the transmission of TV Azteca .

While thousands of people ran to safety, Alejandro Irarragorri, president of Club Santos Laguna took the microphone from the floor to ask the audience to evacuate calmly. Hours after the incident and visibly shaken, Irarragorri gave a press conference, where he first apologized to the media for being late, ” Thanks for your patience, time did not allow us to be with you before, I want to make our feelings known regarding this unfortunate situation that we are suffering, but in no way defines who we are. I am very proud of all who are part of this unfortunate situation, everyone remained calm, and maintained order during this difficult situation.” he said to dozens of journalists.

After the violent gunfire at the stadium, the Mexican Army began an intensive operation in the area to locate the gunmen responsible for causing terror to thousands of people. Close to the stadium the soldiers found an abandoned van, inside it there were rifles, magazines, cartridges, among other things, the authorities confiscated these objects.

He added that dozens of fans had injuries from falls and were treated by paramedics in the stadium. He said that Code Red was activated and that the situation was controlled in only 15 minutes.

” The Federal Government strongly condemns the acts that took place this afternoon at the stadium Territorio Santos Modelo city of Torreon. ” said the official statement.

“The history of football has been tarnished by a group of organized criminals. There is no doubt that millions of Mexicans are still trying to recover what some criminals have stolen: the tranquility of living in a country that should be safe and free.” the statement read.

Read in Spanish Here