Mexican police were seen pepper spraying and tear gassing fans as they attempted to break into a popular fan fest at Monterrey’s Parque Fundidora, where thousands had gathered to watch the Round-of-32 matchup with Ecuador taking place in the country’s capital.
As reported by local journalist Yadith Valdez, many green-clad Mexican soccer fans were seen trying to climb a fence to access the event, which had several giant television screens for the enormous expected crowd.
In one frightening scene, fans were seen barging their way through an iron gate. Meanwhile, in other areas, temporary fencing was seen mangled after gatecrashers had plowed their way through that barricade. The city’s newspaper, El Norte, reported that authorities launched pepper spray and tear gas to deter the young fans.
That response from law enforcement triggered a stampede, according to El Norte. Many attendees reportedly fell while others complained about the burning pepper spray.
Ultimately, park workers managed to close the metal doors.
Meanwhile, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, local fans once again drew the ire of FIFA by using a homophobic chant during play against Ecuador.
The fan fest in Monterrey has been a popular attraction throughout the World Cup
Mexican fans are seen at the park on Monday – one night before things turned violent
The chant is a one-word slur that translates to ‘male prostitute’ in Spanish. Typically fans use the taunt when a goalkeeper is taking a goal kick.
This time the controversial chant popped up in the fifth minute, when Ecuador’s Hernán Galíndez was targeted by fans.
That marked the second time in the tournament that fans used the chant, which has previously resulted in fines for the Mexican soccer federation.
Prior to Tuesday’s game, Mexican fans were seen gathering outside of Ecuador’s hotel, where they used horns and drums in an attempt to wake their rivals.
The two countries have been at political odds since April of 2024, when Mexico’s embassy in Quito was raided by Ecuadorian police in an attempt to arrest former Ecuadorian vice president Jorge Glas, who’d been granted political asylum by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Glas remains in prison and the two countries currently have no relations outside of soccer.
