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Fifa president Gianni Infantino has brushed off concerns over World Cup host city Guadalajara despite carnage breaking out following the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguara Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho”.
The death of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) boss during a Mexican military operation in Jalisco state on Sunday has resulted in widespread violence, with cartel members unleashing havoc in across 20 states. At least 25 National Guard officers were killed in the first 24 hours after El Mencho’s killing.
Roads have been blocked by burning cars, sending plumes of smoke into the air, while banks and local businesses have also been set alight. In Guadalajara, travellers at the airport could be seen running and crouching on the floor, reportedly after hearing gunshots ring out from a nearby highway.
The unrest comes just four months before the city is due to welcome fans from across the globe for the World Cup finals, with the Estadio Akron in Zapopan one of three Mexican venues set to host matches this summer.
The stadium is also due to play host to play-off matches between Congo, Jamaica and New Caledonia at the end of March, though concerns have now been raised over whether fan safety can be guaranteed amid cartel outrage.
Infantino, however, is certain that the Guadalajara will stage “spectacular” football scenes this summer as he showed no signs of stripping Mexico of its World Cup duties.
“Very reassured, everything’s good. It’s going to be spectacular,” Infantino told news agency AFP.
He then told reporters on a visit to Colombia: “Of course we are monitoring the situation in Mexico right now, but I want to say from the outset that we have total confidence in Mexico, in President Claudia Sheinbaum, in the authorities, and we are convinced that everything will turn out in the best possible way.
“We have some matches in Mexico in a month for the play-offs; the new Azteca Stadium will be inaugurated. Mexico is a great country, a football country.
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“As in every country in the world, things happen, which is why we have states, police and authorities who will ensure order and security. From my side, and from FIFA’s side, I have absolute confidence.
“The authorities have more important things to talk about than football today, but football is part of Mexico and we are fully supporting President Sheinbaum, who shares that passion for football. Go Mexico and go with this celebration that will be for the whole world.”
It comes after Fifa said it is “closely monitoring” the situation in Guadalajara after the World Cup city was plunged into chaos.
“At Fifa Mexico, we are closely monitoring the situation in Jalisco and remain in constant communication with the authorities,” a Fifa spokesperson told Reuters.
“We will continue to follow the actions and directions from the different government agencies, aimed at maintaining public safety and restoring normalcy, and we reiterate our close collaboration with federal, state, and local authorities.”
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Mexico president Claudia Sheinbaum also attempted to allay concerns and insisted there was “no risk” to fans coming to the country for the tournament.
“Little by little the situation [in Jalisco] is returning to normal,” said Sheinbaum, who said that “all the guarantees” for safety were in place.
Jalisco governor Pablo Lemus similarly reaffirmed the state’s participation in the tournament, saying: “There is absolutely to intention on Fifa’s part to remove any venues from Mexico. The three venues remain completely firm.”
Mexico’s footballing scene has already been effected by the developments, with the country’s top flight confirming that two games scheduled for Sunday – Queretaro vs Juarez FC in the men’s league and Chivas vs Club America in the women’s league – have been indefinitely postponed, while two second-tier matches were also called off.
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Sunday’s women’s match between Necaxa and Queretaro in Aguascalientes was meanwhile suspended when players fled the pitch after hearing loud noises outside Estadio Victoria, believed to be gunshots.
The Mexico national team is due to face Iceland on Wednesday in a friendly fixture at the Corregidora Stadium in Queretaro.
Elsewhere, the Mexican Open begun on Monday as plan, with Briton Cameron Norrie slumping to a shock defeat against teenager Rafael Jodar in less than an hour.
The Merida Open women’s tournament in the eastern part of the country also proceeded as planned, with the WTA reiterating that “the safety of players, staff, and spectators remains our top priority” amid increased police presence around the tournament venue.
Katie Boulter is in action at the Yucatan Country Club and has progressed beyond they opening round after beating Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia in straight sets.
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