The Troubled History of the Atlas vs Queretaro Rivalry
Last Saturday marked the darkest day in the history of Mexican soccer. A Massive fight between members of Atlas’Barra 51 and Queretaro’s La Resistencia has left an indelible mark in the minds of fans and outside observers in Mexico and around the world. This tragedy marks the highest point of violence in Mexican soccer, but how did the rivalry between Atlas and Queretaro begin?
MORE THAN AN ISOLATED RIVALRY
Unfortunately, this is just one of the many violent incidents implicating these two groups. They have clashed with other groups on numerous occasions.
Atlas supporters have quarreled many times with Chivas ones, clashing as recently as April of last year.
Another pitch invasion also occurred during the quarterfinals of the Clausura 2015. Chivas were winning easily 4-1 when a number of fans, frustrated at their team’s performance, jumped into the pitch after the fourth goal and lashed out against then-coach Tomas Boy and his players.
After a brawl between Atlas supporters and security personnel that lasted almost 20 minutes, the game could continue. Referee Francisco Chacon later commented that he thought resuming the game would calm down the angered fans, which fortunately occurred.
More recently, during the Apertura 2020 semi-final against Pumas, via Twitter, the Barra 51 threatened to stop the game altogether if they didn’t receive 300 tickets that were supposedly owed to them. The team yielded and gave the 300 tickets that were demanded.
Meanwhile, Queretaro’s supporters have gained notoriety as one of the most violent groups in the league. In 2012, 16-year-old America fan Christian Bringas was fatally stabbed. The alleged aggressor was released after two years due to lack of evidence and not receiving due process.
During the Apertura 2013, after the government of Mexico City requested the league not to play any games in the capital due to an ongoing teacher’s protest – which according to them, didn’t allow them to guarantee the security of fans. The match Cruz Azul vs Queretaro ended up being played in the small town of Jasso, Hidalgo. A massive brawl ensued and had to be dispersed with tear gas, resulting in 20 wounded people.
The President of the Soccer Federation Justino Compean avoided responsibility stating on Twitter, “What happened in Jasso is the responsibility of Cruz Azul, Liga MX has nothing to do with this”. In the next tournament, the two groups clashed again in the parking lot of the Corregidora Stadium, with at least 5 wounded.
In week 14 of the Apertura 2019, in another highly volatile game against regional rival San Luis, known as El Clasico de La 57, the game had to be suspended five minutes before stopping time due to a massive brawl between the two barras. The visiting Queretaro supporters were being attacked by a majority of San Luis fans. On that occasion, many people ran into the pitch to try to escape the fight, and fortunately only wounded people were credibly reported. San Luis were sanctioned with a two-game veto on their stadium and approximately 25,000 dollars.
WHAT IS NEXT?
Much has been said about the discrepancy between the number of casualties reported by the attendees of the game and the ones reported by government officials. What is clear is that this Saturday could be an inflection point for Mexican soccer.
Last Saturday’s events have left a lot of vices in the open. From the open support of clubs to the ultra-violent supporter groups to the lack of serious sanctions and the outright lack of responsibility that the League and Clubs have shown following violent clashes. Saturday’s battle is the last drop in an unfortunate sea of violence that has grappled the league. Hopefully, it will be the last nail in the coffin unless we wish to keep seeing actual coffins surrounding Mexican soccer.
Queretaro and Atlas fans have grown accustomed to meager performances by their teams, despite Atlas’s current champion status, both sides have been closer to relegation than to titles. Despite this, their supporters are very passionate and are able to mobilize a large number of people for high-profile games.
Such was the case during the last matchday of the Clausura 2007. More than 5000 people from Queretaro made the trip to the Jalisco Stadium, looking to support their team as they were trying to avoid relegation. After a brace by Uruguayan Nicolas Olivera, Queretaro was relegated. The mood was particularly sour because, in that tournament, Queretaro lost three points after they failed to provide enough minutes to young players, as the league rules required then. Those three points were the difference between staying in Liga MX and relegation.
After the game, there were numerous clashes outside the stadium between the disgruntled Queretaro fans, and Atlas’ Barra 51, which had garnered a reputation for harboring explosive conduct amongst its members.
Three years later in the Bicentenario 2010 tournament, with Queretaro back in the top flight, many of the more radicalized fans were looking for retaliation for both the match that sent them to the second division and the clashes on the street that succeeded it. This time the brawl would start inside the stadium, a massive fight that ended in more than 30 people injured, some with serious wounds.
Then sporting director of Liga MX and its future president, Enrique Bonilla, mentioned how Queretaro’s supporters amassed a bad reputation while their team was playing in the second division, which granted them be banned from numerous stadiums. Despite this, the league only sanctioned the team with one game behind closed doors.
After these two incidents, the league had classified this match as a highly dangerous game and as such, a greater number of police officers were deployed for subsequent games. Then in the Clausura 2013, with both teams trying to avoid relegation, another violent event occurred. After the game, Queretaro supporters clashed against the Police, who were trying to stop them from reaching Atlas supporters. Throwing stones at the Police and even starting fires outside the stadium. Queretaro fans quarreled for ninety minutes, after which Atlas fans could finally exit the stadium. That year, despite being the last team in the relegation table, Queretaro remained in the top flight after buying the franchise rights off Chiapas.
MORE THAN AN ISOLATED RIVALRY
Unfortunately, this is just one of the many violent incidents implicating these two groups. They have clashed with other groups on numerous occasions.
Atlas supporters have quarreled many times with Chivas ones, clashing as recently as April of last year.
Another pitch invasion also occurred during the quarterfinals of the Clausura 2015. Chivas were winning easily 4-1 when a number of fans, frustrated at their team’s performance, jumped into the pitch after the fourth goal and lashed out against then-coach Tomas Boy and his players.
After a brawl between Atlas supporters and security personnel that lasted almost 20 minutes, the game could continue. Referee Francisco Chacon later commented that he thought resuming the game would calm down the angered fans, which fortunately occurred.
More recently, during the Apertura 2020 semi-final against Pumas, via Twitter, the Barra 51 threatened to stop the game altogether if they didn’t receive 300 tickets that were supposedly owed to them. The team yielded and gave the 300 tickets that were demanded.
Meanwhile, Queretaro’s supporters have gained notoriety as one of the most violent groups in the league. In 2012, 16-year-old America fan Christian Bringas was fatally stabbed. The alleged aggressor was released after two years due to lack of evidence and not receiving due process.
During the Apertura 2013, after the government of Mexico City requested the league not to play any games in the capital due to an ongoing teacher’s protest – which according to them, didn’t allow them to guarantee the security of fans. The match Cruz Azul vs Queretaro ended up being played in the small town of Jasso, Hidalgo. A massive brawl ensued and had to be dispersed with tear gas, resulting in 20 wounded people.
The President of the Soccer Federation Justino Compean avoided responsibility stating on Twitter, “What happened in Jasso is the responsibility of Cruz Azul, Liga MX has nothing to do with this”. In the next tournament, the two groups clashed again in the parking lot of the Corregidora Stadium, with at least 5 wounded.
In week 14 of the Apertura 2019, in another highly volatile game against regional rival San Luis, known as El Clasico de La 57, the game had to be suspended five minutes before stopping time due to a massive brawl between the two barras. The visiting Queretaro supporters were being attacked by a majority of San Luis fans. On that occasion, many people ran into the pitch to try to escape the fight, and fortunately only wounded people were credibly reported. San Luis was sanctioned with a two-game veto on their stadium and approximately 25,000 dollars.
WHAT IS NEXT?
Much has been said about the discrepancy between the number of casualties reported by the attendees of the game and the ones reported by government officials. What is clear is that this Saturday could be an inflection point for Mexican soccer.
Last Saturday’s events have left a lot of vices in the open. From the open support of clubs to the ultra-violent supporter groups to the lack of serious sanctions and the outright lack of responsibility that the League and Clubs have shown following violent clashes. Saturday’s battle is the last drop in an unfortunate sea of violence that has grappled the league. Hopefully, it will be the last nail in the coffin, unless we wish to keep seeing actual coffins surrounding Mexican soccer.
