Mexican police deployed tear gas and pepper spray on Saturday to control crowds attempting to force their way into a popular fan fest in Monterrey. Thousands of fans had gathered at Parque Fundidora to watch the World Cup Round-of-32 match between Mexico and Ecuador.
Local reports indicated that many fans, clad in green, were seen attempting to climb fences and break through gates to gain entry to the event, which featured large television screens for the match being played approximately 600 miles away at Estadio Azteca. In several instances, temporary fencing was mangled as individuals pushed their way through. El Norte newspaper reported that authorities used pepper spray and tear gas to deter the crowd, which led to a stampede. Attendees reported falling and experiencing burning eyes from the spray.
Park officials eventually closed the metal doors to the fan fest. The fan zone has been a popular destination throughout the World Cup.
Separately, at Estadio Azteca, Mexican fans drew criticism from FIFA for using a homophobic chant during the match. The chant, a slur translating to ‘male prostitute,’ was directed at Ecuador's goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez in the fifth minute. This marked the second time in the tournament that the chant has been heard, previously resulting in fines for the Mexican soccer federation.
Prior to the match, Mexican fans were also noted gathering outside the Ecuadorian team's hotel, using horns and drums in an attempt to disrupt their sleep. The two nations have been experiencing political tension since April 2024, following a raid on Mexico's embassy in Quito by Ecuadorian police to arrest former Ecuadorian vice president Jorge Glas, who had been granted political asylum. Glas remains in prison, and diplomatic relations between the countries are currently severed, with only soccer remaining as a point of interaction.