Why did Cata Domínguez miss Cruz Azul’s draw against Tijuana?

Despite travelling with Cruz Azul for their opening 2023 Clausura fixture in Liga MX away to Tijuana, Julio César Domínguez, better known as ‘Cata’ Domínguez, was not ultimately included in their matchday squad for the clash after it came to light on social media that the player had organised a narco-theme birthday party for his 12-year-old son.

Domínguez posted photos from the party on Instagram stories, which quickly did the rounds on social media and were widely criticised, particularly given recent events in Culiacán in Sinaloa, where drug lord Ovidio Guzmán, son of the infamous ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, was arrested.

The Mexican Soccer Federation’s Disciplinary Committee are set to investigate the incident and will decide whether to take any action against the player. Domínguez’s Cruz Azul teammates Rodolfo Rotondi, Charly Rodríguez, Erik Lira and Iván Morales also attended the party. Cruz Azul have been expected to make an official statement and take disciplinary action against Domínguez but his only punishment so far has been being left out of the squad for the clash in Tijuana.

In the aftermath of the photos being posted, the hashtag ‘Fuera Cata’ (‘Cata Out’) was trending on Twitter, with fans of La Máquina effectively asking for the club to tear up the defender’s contract. Domínguez had previously been a target for a section of Cruz Azul supporters, who booed him in various matches in the 2022 Apertura tournament because of his perceived poor performances.

What did Cata Domínguez say about the narco-themed party?

Domínguez eventually reflected that the party hadn’t been such a good idea after all, posting a brief apology on Instagram:

“I would like to offer a sincere apology for the photographs posted from the children’s party on my social media accounts.

“I admit that they don’t paint Mexico in a good light and neither me nor my family promote or justify any violence.”

“We are people who encourage the younger generations to take up sport and promote the values and principals of a model institution such as Cruz Azul.”

How did Cruz Azul do against Tijuana?

Without Domínguez, Cruz Azul left it late to salvage a point against Tijuana, with Charly Rodríguez finishing off a well-worked move to level the game in the 83rd minute after Lisandro López had put the hosts in from the penalty spot early on.