Fans Are Back! Liga MX Approves Return of Fans to Stadiums
Liga MX announced earlier today that it would start allowing fans into stadiums as soon as this week. Officials announced that they would allow teams to have 50% maximum capacity, but it is still up to state and local government regulations whether each team can go ahead with fans.
According to the latest information from John Hopkins University, Mexico has 825,000 total cases, with 703,000 recoveries, and tragically 84,000 deaths related to the global pandemic as of today. JHU also reports the number of new infections per day has been cut in half since reaching a height of 9,556 on August the 1st, to about 4,295 yesterday. These numbers seem to be enough for Liga MX officials to begin the process of having fans in their stands. Cities like Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey, which all have multiple teams, have seen higher levels than the rest of the country. So far, local governments have not allowed mass gatherings, like soccer matches, meaning the Big Four of Mexican soccer can’t allow their fans to return just yet.
Mazatlan FC and Necaxa have already manifested their intentions to have fans at their stadiums for their upcoming matches. Mazatlan FC will host Juarez FC on October 16th, and local officials have stated The Kraken will be allowed a 30% capacity for the matchup.
Necaxa, who also plays October 16, when they host Los Xolos, will also allow fans in the stadium. Still, local officials have not indicated what the stadium capacity will be for the game.
In a 37 page document released by Liga Mx, the league breaks down the new procedures into seven key areas: Stadium Sections, Ticket Sales, Stadium Preparation, Zoning, Media, Personal Safety and Capacity, and Fan Code of Conduct. The document goes into great detail on how social distancing will affect capacity in every area of the stadium and private boxes and areas designated for special needs fans.
Highlights from the document are as follows:
Tickets will only be sold electronically to avoid groups of people at stadium box offices. Only four tickets can be purchased per family, with no one under 12 allowed in the stadium.
Barras will not be allowed in the stadium, and areas specifically designated for them in stadiums will remain closed. Tickets provided for visiting team fans will also be canceled. If a fan is not allowed in the stadium, a refund must be issued.
Every stadium must be sanitized before and after every game, and new Zonas Medicas Especiales (Special Medical Zones) must be set up at every entrance with ambulances parked as close as possible to each zone. Temperatures will be taken before fans are allowed to enter these zones.
Hand sanitizer dispensers must be installed in every area of fan access, including but not limited to tunnels, food stands, bathrooms, and private booths.
Signage with warnings and precautionary measures will be posted throughout the stadium in highly visible areas. The floor must be labeled for social distancing in high traffic areas.
New zoning in the stadiums needs to be created to allow each zone to have adequate medical personnel and supplies in each zone.
Each stadium must designate entrances for fans, media, stadium staff, and security personnel.
While some feel the inclusion of fans is a move in the right direction, others point to the fact that major leagues like the Bundesliga, Premier League, and La Liga have not allowed fans in their stadiums just yet as a precaution. What side do you support in this decision? Let us know.
