Mexican police – Pepper spray and tear gas were used on fans trying to force their way into the FIFA Fan Fest at Parque Fundidora in Monterrey, triggering a stampede and injuries before park workers closed the metal doors. Hours later in Mexico City, Mexican fans used a homoph
The chaos erupted fast at Parque Fundidora in Monterrey, where thousands had packed in to watch the Round-of-32 match between Ecuador and Mexico on giant screens—about 600 miles away at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Footage from the scene showed green-clad Mexican fans attempting to climb a fence and. in one frightening moment. barging through an iron gate. Temporary fencing was left mangled after gatecrashers plowed through the barricade. Then the response came from Mexican authorities: pepper spray and tear gas. used to deter young fans trying to get in.
El Norte reported that the crackdown set off a stampede. Attendees fell as the gas took effect, and many complained about the burning sensation from the pepper spray. Park workers eventually managed to close the metal doors.
Hours before the violence-free atmosphere everyone expected to be a simple match watch turned into a security nightmare. Fuerza Civil had also moved to close access points to the fan area. According to El Norte. once authorities concluded the FIFA Fan Fest zone had reached maximum capacity. elements of Fuerza Civil shut access and dispersed some attendees with gas. El Norte also described how the access E6—at the time described as being by what was Plaza Sésamo—was closed by police at 17:30.
In Mexico City, the match itself brought fresh controversy. During Mexico’s game against Ecuador. local fans again used a homophobic chant—an one-word slur that translates to ‘male prostitute’ in Spanish. The chant appeared in the fifth minute, targeting Ecuador goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez during a goal-kick.
This was the second time that chant had been used in the tournament, and it has previously led to fines for the Mexican soccer federation.
Before Tuesday’s game, Mexican fans were also seen outside Ecuador’s hotel, using horns and drums in an attempt to wake their rivals.
The friction between the two countries has deeper roots than football. Mexico and Ecuador have been at political odds since April of 2024. when Mexico’s embassy in Quito was raided by Ecuadorian police in an effort to arrest former Ecuadorian vice president Jorge Glas. who had been granted political asylum by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Glas remains in prison, and the two countries currently have no relations outside of the sport.
Mexico police tear gas pepper spray gatecrashers Monterrey Parque Fundidora FIFA Fan Fest Ecuador World Cup Estadio Azteca homophobic chant Hernán Galíndez Jorge Glas Claudia Sheinbaum