Messi selfie seekers and pitch invaders will be banned from all Liga MX stadiums

With just a few hours to go before the ball is rolled into play at BBVA Stadium, the focus has turned to security for this evening’s Concacaf Champions Cup quarter final return leg between Monterrey and Inter Miami. Due to some of the incidents witnessed at the end of the first leg, as well as the big name stars who will be present, organizers have tightened up security for a return leg which promises the whole range of emotions from start to finish.

With a growing number of fans disregarding matchday safety regulations (and lines of stewards) to get close to the players (usually for a selfie) - or even just a show of affection, however minimal it may be, Monterrey have sent out a message to make it clear than anyone who breaches safety rules at their stadium will be punished.

Pitch invaders face stadium ban

Everardo Valdés, Director of Institutional Relations and Media at Club de Futbol Monterrey explained: “For this big game, around 1,400 security measures at various different levels will be implemented - at public, private, municipal, state level etc in order to safeguard Wednesday’s match and enable it to be completed without incident. There will be a larger number of stewards and security officers on the field than usual, to ensure that everything is in order.”

“Anyone who decides to enter the field of play illegally, will be immediately ejected from the stadium. Their personal details will be reported to the authorities and their access to all Mexican Soccer stadiums in the first division will be suspended,” Valdés added.

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With security tighter than ever for Inter Miami’s visit, fans might well think twice about how much a pitch invasion or hassling players is worth. Firstly because it’s illegal; secondly, because security officers have been authorized to use force when necessary and thirdly because it could mean never setting foot in a Liga MX stadium again.

The CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal second leg between Monterrey and Inter Miami will be played at Estadio BBVA, in Monterrey, on Wednesday 10 April 2024. Kick-off is scheduled for 10.30 p.m. ET / 7.30 p.m. PT.