Clásico Tapatío Ends Early Due to Safety Concerns
For the first time in its history, Clásico Tapatío, the oldest Mexican football rivalry, which started in 1916, made its way to Los Angeles at the Bank of Montreal Stadium (BMO) on Sunday, March 24.
The intense rivalry between Club Deportivo (C.D.) Guadalajara and Atlas and slow-moving game led fanatics to make the excitement themselves by setting off fireworks and flares on the field. This forced referees to call the game at the 90th minute before going into extra time with both teams yet to score.
C.D. Guadalajara, also known as “Rojiblanca” (Red & White) and more famously as “Chivas,” faced off against their rivals, Atlas F.C,” Rojinegros” (Red & Black), who also play in Guadalajara, Mexico, with their stadium just 12 miles away.
This game would have marked the return of Mexican National Team all-time leading scorer, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, after departing from the LA Galaxy. However, due to injury, Chicharito was nowhere to be found on the roster. His absence made no difference in the atmosphere, as fans continued to “roar” in the rain as if it were an official league game.
Both teams clashed back and forth with various accidental and intentional fouls, heating up throughout the game. Atlas had the opportunity to get the first goal of the match after being awarded a free kick just outside of the penalty box but ultimately shot too wide.
Possession of the ball alternated for the remainder of the game, up to what fans may say was the most exciting part of the game: smoke and flares. As the match neared its end, Atlas fans standing behind the Chivas goal decided to throw canisters with black smoke onto the pitch, which obstructed Chivas goalkeeper Óscar Whalley’s view. The referee paused the game, and fans continued to throw debris on the field.
Once play resumed, it took only a couple of minutes for Chivas fans to respond with their own canisters of red smoke. The fans also threw their canisters onto the pitch, along with other items such as single sticks of firecrackers and popped flares. Staff members quickly picked it up and put it in a bucket, which then caught fire. Fans later began shooting Roman Candle fireworks into the air. After some time, play was resumed but ultimately ended early by the referee due to safety issues.
Players left the field frustrated as neither team was able to get a point on the board. As players made their exit, various fans invaded the pitch to get their attention. An older fan resisted with a security member, who then was secured by the aid of two other guards.
Both clubs return to Mexico to continue their quest for the league title in the Liga MX Clausura [Closing] season.
