‘We fight, therefore we exist’: what lay behind Mexico’s brutal football riot?

Three people were left critically injured after violence at Queretaro v Atlas. But many observers said the scenes could have been prevented

The scenes that shocked Mexico and horrified the world of soccer on Saturday were caught on shaky cell phone videos: men wearing the red and black jerseys of the Liga MX champions, Atlas, lay prone while others in the blue and black of Gallos del Queretaro beat and stripped them. Hundreds of raging fans descended on the pitch in Queretaro's Corregidora Stadium, chasing their rivals, who sought refuge in the Atlas players' locker room. Many Atlas fans ripped off their shirts to avoid being attacked.

The riot that broke out during the match between the two teams from central Mexico left 26 injured, three in a critical condition, the governor of the state of Queretaro, Mauricio Kuri, told reporters at a press conference on Sunday. Kuri also denied reports that there had been fatalities.