A serious incident was recorded ahead of a "World Cup" match held in Mexico City. According to Operative Information Center-OMM, citing Reuters, a group of masked individuals attempted to force their way into the stadium and attacked police officers stationed at the entrance.
During the confrontation, officers were targeted with stones, bricks, and Molotov cocktails, resulting in injuries to several police personnel. A spokesperson for the Mexico Secretariat of Citizen Security stated that approximately 200 masked individuals, who had splintered off from a larger group of around 800 protesters gathered in the area, instigated the provocation.
Metropolitan police quickly brought the situation under control, leading to the detention of dozens of individuals. Officials emphasized that the confrontation was not political in nature and was not directly linked to other ongoing social protests in the country.
Despite the closure of a 3-kilometer stretch of road around the stadium and the gathering of several protest groups, concerns regarding a potential delay of the match did not materialize. The game commenced as scheduled. Furthermore, the "FIFA Fanfest" event organized at the Zócalo square in the city center continued as planned despite attempts to disrupt the proceedings.
It is worth noting that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum did not attend the match at the stadium, as she had gifted her ticket to a 21-year-old lottery winner. Such high-profile sporting events in Mexico often draw significant public attention, and security measures are typically heightened to manage large crowds and potential civil unrest in the capital.
