Despite violence and controversy, Liga MX and Mexican football speak out for peace

As part of the commemoration of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, Mexican football is going through one of the darkest chapters in relation to acts of violence. The fight that took place at the Estadio Corregidora during matchday nine of the current Clausura 2022 tarnished the image not only of football, but of sport national. Despite this, the leadership of Liga MX and the Mexican Football Federation are holding a peace speech to combat the social phenomenon.

The United Nations stipulated April 6 of each year as a day that presents an opportunity to raise awareness of the positive role of sport in society. Given this, the present of the discipline most practiced and followed in Mexico becomes relevant. Football has been the scene of events of all kinds of violence: in the stadiums, on the pitch, in the outskirts, also by players, fans and managers.

The most recent events have caused the League from the institutional level to generate different campaigns to seek and call for peace. At the end of February of the current tournament, the launch of “Scream X la paz” was announced in a crusade that aimed to hold a peaceful protest in the face of the war conflict which Russia and Ukraine maintain in Eastern Europe.

However, the situation took an unexpected turn because on the date the project was launched, the pitched fight took place at the Corregidora Stadium, which ended with 26 people hospitalized and, to date, with more than three dozen detainees. Given the seriousness of what happened, the rest of the scheduled games were suspended as an immediate measure.

Subsequently, government authorities intervened, both at the state and federal levels, to mediate and define responsibilities. However, the campaign was not abandoned and was even reinforced with complementary practices such as the one that Chivas and America took for the National Classic dispute (they called the fondness to wear white and occupied the section of the truncheon with a group of children).

But the call for peace is just one of several campaigns that Liga MX has implemented throughout its tournaments. Among the topics he has mentioned in his gaming protocols were autism, education, the role of doctors during the Covid-19 pandemic, inclusion, racism or raising awareness among the population about the importance of preventing diseases such as breast cancer and prostate.

The Mexican Football Federation, the highest rector of sports in the country, has also been involved in the promotion of good practices. It has especially focused on ending the manifestation of discriminatory expressions. For several years now, the FMF has taken several measures so that the fans no longer make the iconic cry that became popular when a rival goalkeeper put the ball into play. Some actions are more effective than others.

“Sport has the power to change the world; it is a fundamental right and a powerful tool for strengthening social ties and promoting sustainable development and peace, as well as solidarity and respect for all. In recognition of the broad influence of this practice, the global theme of this international day is to ensure a sustainable and peaceful future for all: the contribution of sport”, the United Nations portal reads.

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