Tensions between fans turned ugly prior to the start of a 'friendly' soccer match between two Mexican soccer clubs on Sunday, as San Jose police were dispatched to break up an altercation between supporters of the rival teams.
According to NBC Bay Area, fans of Club America and Monarcas Morelia threw rocks and bottles at each other during the skirmish, during which a fence was torn down. Police responded with dozens of cruisers and officers outfitted in riot gear, and were able to de-escalate the situation.
No major injuries were reported, though some people sustained minor injuries. No arrests were made during the violence. Police remained on site to monitor the scene as the evening progressed.
Major police presence at soccer game at Avaya stadium after fans start throwing bottles and rocks ,several injured pic.twitter.com/zhHokacDF0
— Marianne Favro (@mariannefavro) March 26, 2017
Reports of skirmish breaking out near Avaya Stadium before friendly soccer match between two clubs from Mexico. https://t.co/64iyA8S9Hx pic.twitter.com/wypoYZ16u5
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) March 26, 2017
A fan who had been hit by a rock during the incident told the TV station that fans simply “got rowdy.”
“The two squads don’t get along, you know, it’s been a rivalry for years; it comes from Mexico City,” the fan said.
The sold-out game welcomed 18,000 spectators. Stadium operators worked with police and shut down beer sales at halftime to help manage the crowd.
