In one video, a security guard is seen opening a gate to let a stream of angry Querétaro fans through to chase down Atlas fans on the other side.Įxact details of security at Saturday’s game have yet to emerge but it appears staffing was lagging behind other fixtures in Liga MX.Īdolfo Rios, the Gallos general manager, said his team was following the stadium’s rules, which require one security guard for every 25 people. Given the teams’ rivalry, many experts were surprised at the lack of adequate security in the stadium on Saturday. “That could help explain why fans of losing teams seek to emphasize this idea of tenacity by signaling that even through the worst of the worst, they will always be there.” “Some cultural researchers argue that in Latin America, life is lived in a very melodramatic way and part of that melodrama is exaggerated feelings of sadness and defeat,” Varela says. Despite the defeats they continued to sing, cheer and travel with the team across the country. Throughout Atlas’ decades in the wilderness, the fans endured. He stayed for a year, taking the team to the league’s final.Īs the fierce reputation of Querétaro’s supporters grew, Atlas’ ardent fans were never far behind, says Sergio Varela, a professor of sociology at Mexico’s National Autonomous University, who has studied violence in Mexican soccer. Indeed, it seemed the only thing that overtook news about Querétaro’s brutal fights was the surprise acquisition of Brazilian star Ronaldinho in 2014. Querétaro fans also fought with fans of Atlas and San Luis at two separate games in 2013. “I would say that was a turning point,” Duarte says in a phone interview from Mexico City, “because it marked a disconnect between the quality of, a team with a paltry track record – one-time cup winner and once a finalist for the Mexican championship in 2015 – and the constant violence of the fans.”

Atlas fans take part in a prayer vigil after Saturday’s violence.

America vs atlas