FMF opens investigation after fan violence mars match between Veracruz, Tigres

The Federacion Mexicana de Futbol is launching a probe into the violence that took place at Estadio Luis “Pirata” de la Fuente.

Friday night’s Liga MX match between Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz and Club Tigres was marred by violence, as supporters from both clubs confronted each other in the stands. One fan appeared to get beat with a bar, and, as ESPN FC explains, fans pelted the pitch with objects and cups, some of which landed and exploded above the tunnel that leads to the locker rooms.

Jonathan Espericueta, one of Tigres’ midfielders, uploaded a photo to Twitter after the game in which Jesus Duenas’ left arm is bleeding. “This isn’t football,” reads the caption. “The match is played on the pitch and not won by fighting outside of it.”

Tigres’ players could be seen motioning to their supporters, encouraging them to leave the stadium. One video of the violence shows Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti, the club’s manager, losing his mind at a police officer and being held back by Andre-Pierre Gignac, who was among those calling for calm. Eduardo Vargas also appears in the clip.

The FMF’s Comision Disciplinaria opened an investigation on Saturday, and a photograph of Ferretti yelling at the police is going viral.