Ronaldinho’s Former Club Slapped with Sanctions Including 1-Year Stadium Ban After Fan Violence During Match

• Top-division Mexican football team Queretaro were ordered to play their home matches behind closed doors for a year
• This is after their game against defending champions Atlas was abandoned after 63 minutes due to crowd trouble
• At least 26 people were injured in the incident as the violence spilt onto the pitch, with some players attempting to calm the situation

Mexican side Queretaro will have to play their home games behind closed doors for a year after crowd trouble during their match against Atlas on Saturday, March 5.

The Mexican Football Federation’s (FMF) Disciplinary Commission recently announced hefty sanctions for both clubs after the violence that was witnessed over the weekend.

According to BBC, at least 26 people were injured from the incident, and three people remain in critical condition in hospital.

Authorities have since announced that 10 people have been arrested in connection to the mayhem.

How it happened

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A fight broke out from within the crowd at the half hour mark during a fiery clash between Queretaro and the defending champions Atlas.

Families, including women and children could be seen trying to scamper for safety as the violence spilt onto the pitch.

Security guards and stewards were unable to contain the rowdy fans and the game had to be called off.

As a result of the forfeit, Queretaro lost the match 3-0. The club was also fined 1.5 million pesos, which is approximately $70,000.

The Athletic further reports that Atlas fans were also banned from attending away matches for six months.

Queretaro FC has an organized hardcore fan group, known as ‘barras’, who have now been banned from home games for three years. They will also be unable to attend away games for at least one year.

Arrest warrants were issued on Monday night for people suspected to have taken part in the chaos, and they were identified through news footage and social media.

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Further reports suggest that the club’s owners have been compelled to sell the club within one year.

Notably, Queretaro FC was once graced by Ronaldinho, who played for the club between 2014 and 2015.