Feb 22 • 17:34 UTC 🇲🇽 Mexico El Financiero (ES)

'We fell for provocations': What we know about the brawl in the Premier League, where a Club Celaya fan died

A brawl in Boca del Río, Veracruz, following a Premier League match resulted in the death of a Club Celaya fan and multiple injuries.

Following a Premier League match in Boca del Río, Veracruz, a violent confrontation between soccer fans resulted in the death of a Club Celaya supporter, Carlos Alberto Ortiz Ortega. This incident occurred after Racing de Veracruz defeated Celaya 4-0 in matchday 20 of the 2025-2026 Serie A season. Reports indicate that several people were injured, with two in critical condition, as clashes erupted among rival fan groups as they exited the stadium.

Cristian Ríos, president of Celaya FC, criticized the local team's management for failing to implement adequate security protocols at the event. This lapse in safety measures presumably contributed to the outbreak of violence, raising serious questions about the oversight in managing fan behavior during sporting events. The local club, Racing de Veracruz, countered by stating that security operations were indeed in place, reflecting conflicting narratives about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The implications of this incident extend beyond immediate concerns for fan safety; it also ignites broader discussions about violence in sports, specifically in Mexico, where tensions among soccer fans can escalate dramatically. The aftermath will likely prompt investigations and potential changes in how matches are secured in the future, as well as a renewed call for fan responsibility to mitigate such tragic occurrences in football culture.

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