A man is recovering after he was stabbed during a fight at a game between Mexico and Qatar at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday.
Lt. Cuong Phan, a spokesperson for the Santa Clara Police Department, told SFGATE.com that the person who was stabbed suffered a “critical injury” to the upper torso and is recovering in an area hospital.
The Mexican soccer federation issued a statement Tuesday condemning violence among fans, after one Mexico fan stabbed another at a Sunday match at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
On Monday, Santa Clara police identified a suspect and a person of interest in the case and are seeking the public’s help in locating them, the NBC affiliate in San Francisco KNTV reported. The suspect is described as a man between 25 and 35 years old, with short, dark-colored hair, and a thin mustache and beard. He was last seen wearing a green Mexico jersey. A person of interest in the case was described as a woman with dark-colored hair and a similar Mexico jersey.
Videos circulating on social media on Monday appear to show a large fight breaking out in the stands. The Santa Clara Police Department has not confirmed if the stabbing occurred during the footage in question. KNTV reported that the wound appeared to be near the man's neck or upper torso, and it could be seen spurting blood.
The victim told KNTV on Wednesday that he is grateful to be alive. He said the object he was stabbed with was a large pocket knife. It wasn't clear how someone was able to get that kind of weapon past stadium security.
The victim is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. He is not able to eat or drink due to his injuries, KNTV reported. The person who attacked him missed injuring his heart and neck just by a few inches.
Phan told SFGATE.com that the investigation into the stabbing is ongoing.
The two men’s soccer teams were facing off in a CONCACAF Gold Cup match Sunday evening when the violence occurred. The tournament, held every two years, is meant to determine the continental champion of North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Qatar won Sunday’s match, 1-0, but both teams advanced to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Levi’s Stadium is not scheduled to host another event until later this month, on July 22.
