FMF condemns stabbing during Mexico vs Qatar Gold Cup clash
The federation issued a statement 24 hours after the incident was reported. It condemned violence and agreed to cooperate with the investigation.
The Mexican Football Federation broke its silence and expressed its condemnation of the stabbing that occurred in the stands at Levi’s Stadium during Sunday’s Gold Cup group stage match between Mexico and Qatar.
The federation issued a press release to express its rejection of what happened, and declared its intention to join the investigation already launched by the Santa Clara police to find those responsible. The FMF also wished the person who was injured after the altercation a speedy recovery.
A brawl involving several Mexico fans in one of the lower stands of the 49ers stadium, located in Santa Clara, California, ended with a man stabbed near the neck and slightly above the chest. The images of the fan, who was struggling to contain the bleeding, went viral. According to information from ESPN and Publimetro, the medical condition of the injured man, who is hospitalized in San José, is stable.
FMF statement
In the Mexican Football Federation we regret and strongly condemn the acts of violence that took place after last Sunday’s game in Santa Clara.
We are fully willing to cooperate and join efforts with Concacaf, the stadiums and local authorities, to prevent these acts from being repeated in any stadium; We are sure that the corresponding instances will take the necessary measures to reach the final consequences against those who are responsible, and we wish the speedy recovery of those who were injured.
Stadiums are family spaces and therefore must be a safe place for everyone.
Concacaf pledge to cooperate
A Concacaf spokesperson confirmed to ESPN that the Confederation is already cooperating with local authorities to find the whereabouts of the perpetrators, to whom the Santa Clara police have already put a face to thanks to the multiple videos available on social networks recorded during the fight.