Violence in Mexico forces suspension of soccer video games; Mexican Open to go forward

Multiple soccer matches in Mexico have been postponed after widespread unrest in Mexico following the demise of drug lord Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes.

Mexican Open organisers, in the meantime, have insisted the ATP match in Acapulco will go forward as deliberate regardless of the violence.

Oseguera Cervantes, ‘El Mencho’, was the chief of the Jalisco New Generation cartel and was killed by the Mexican military on Sunday throughout an operation to seize him.

The 59-year-old’s demise led to armed teams blocking roads and setting fireplace to supermarkets, banks and automobiles in states throughout the nation, together with in Jalisco’s capital, 2026 World Cup host metropolis Guadalajara.

On Monday, Mexican authorities confirmed at the least 62 individuals have been killed within the operation towards Oseguera and the unrest that adopted. That included 34 suspected cartel members, 25 members of the Mexican National guard, one state prosecutor, one safety guard and one civilian.

Mexico’s high soccer league introduced on Sunday that Monday’s match between Queretaro and FC Juarez can be rescheduled. The house aspect additionally requested followers to not come to the stadium in Queretaro, 131 miles from Mexico City and 300 miles from Guadalajara.

There was additionally disruption to Liga MX Femenil (Mexican ladies’s top-flight soccer division) because the match between Club Necaxa and Queretaro gave the impression to be suspended as gamers have been seen working off the sphere early within the second half. The recreation completed, nonetheless, after a couple of minutes’ delay with the house aspect successful 2-1.

A supply with data of the scenario, who requested to stay nameless, advised The Athletic that motorbikes revving their engines have been misheard as gunshots in the course of the Necaxa-Queretaro match, reflecting the panic that seized the nation.

Two males’s second-tier soccer video games have been additionally suspended, with the Liga Expansion MX saying on their social media that the video games between Jabia Brava and Correcaminos, Tapatio and Tlaxcala, can be rescheduled.

On Monday, Mexican Open organisers launched a press release denying media stories the occasion had been cancelled on safety grounds. The ATP match takes place in Acapulco, Guerrero — one of many 5 states the U.S. authorities has warned residents towards travelling to as a result of danger of violence.

“The event is proceeding as scheduled and the tournament is running normally,” the assertion learn.

“We maintain constant coordination and communication with federal, state, and municipal authorities, under established security protocols.”

The Women’s Tennis Association has mentioned it’s “aware” of the safety scenario in western Mexico. A WTA assertion learn: “The safety of players, staff, and spectators remains our top priority.

“The WTA tournament in Merida, located in the eastern part of the country, is operating as scheduled and there have been no reports of incidents in the region. Authorities in Yucatan State have increased police vigilance, including enhanced presence around the tournament venue. Additional security measures are in place at the tournament venue and official hotels.

“We continue to liaise with local partners and monitor official guidance, including updates from the US Embassy in Mexico.”

The opening spherical of the occasion begins on Monday.

Guadalajara is a metropolis of round 1.4 million individuals and it’ll host 4 group-stage matches within the World Cup this summer season, together with between Uruguay and Spain on June 26 on the Estadio Akron. After the demise of Oseguera Cervantes, Liga MX Femenil suspended Sunday night time’s derby between Chivas of Guadalajara and Club America at that stadium.

Jalisco’s Governor of the State Pablo Lemus suspended public transportation, in-person courses and mass occasions for the rest of the day on Sunday and on Monday.

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Liga MX’s statement mentioned: “The BBVA MX League announces that the match between Queretaro and FC Juarez, corresponding to matchday 7 of the 2026 Clausura Tournament, scheduled to be played today at 7:00 p.m. at La Corregidora Stadium, will be rescheduled with a date and time to be determined.”