A TALE OF TWO LEAGUES: MLS AND LIGA MX HAVE CONTRASTING DAY
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness…..if only Charles Dickens knew that 163 years later, his words would still ring true.
We witnessed both the magic and beauty of what soccer can do in Charlotte FC’s record-breaking home opener and how idiots can use fandom of the sport to justify barbaric acts.
Charlotte packed 74,479 fans into Bank of America Stadium for their season opener against the LA Galaxy. It was a party as fans set a new attendance record for MLS. It was everything soccer should be until Efrain Alvarez’s 77th-minute wonder goal silenced the home crowd.
While the MLS was living the best of times, Liga MX was living its worst of times. A riot broke out in the second half of the Queretaro and Atlas match. Images of the shameful incident spread like wildfire through social media, shinning a horrible light on Liga MX.
The event outraged fans, players, and pundits alike, and many have called for severe actions to be taken against Queretaro, La Corregidora, and even Liga MX President Mikel Arriola.
What is concerning in this situation is not only the complete mishandling of the situation by stadium staff and security but the contradicting stories that are being reported.
The league and government have put out their official statements as to the number of injuries resulting from the melee. They report only injuries, no deaths. Fans and other witnesses who claim were there, yet, have stated that there were many casualties. I pray that the government is right and no fan lost their life.
However dark the day was for Mexican soccer last night, this incident should lead to drastic reform in the league. Punishment should be exemplary for those responsible, whoever they may be.
As we saw in Charlotte, soccer is a unifying sport, that brings people of different backgrounds together. A place where a family can go enjoy the beautiful game and forget the horrors of the world for 90 minutes. It’s a safe haven where families can have a good time. Not a place where you have to fear for your life and for supporting your team or wearing an opposing squad’s jersey. As Talavera tweeted, this is not support, this is not fandom, this is not soccer!
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