USMNT-Mexico World Cup qualifier match at Estadio Azteca will be safe, say officials

The U.S. Soccer Federation issued a statement on Thursday in which it said it has received assurances from Mexico Football Federation (FMF) officials that fans, teams and players will «safely experience» the upcoming World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on March 24.

The statement was issued in response to the violence that took place at last Saturday's Liga MX match between Queretaro and Atlas. The match at Queretaro's Estadio Corregidora was suspended in the 62nd minute after multiple fights broke out in the stands. Security personnel opened the gates to the field so that fans, including women and children, could escape the clashes.

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An official statement from Queretaro Governor Mauricio Kuri said that 26 people in total required medical attention, 24 men and two women, from the incident. No deaths were reported, though there have been 14 arrests. As of Thursday, ESPN Mexico reported that two people were still hospitalized.

In its statement, the USSF said, «As we prepare for our upcoming World Cup Qualifier against Mexico at Estadio Azteca on March 24, we want to pause to express our thoughts over the unbearable and horrific tragedy that occurred at a league match in Queretaro this past weekend.

»U.S. Soccer has spoken to Mexican Football Federation officials, who have assured us that the U.S. and Mexican fans, teams and players alike will safely experience one of the world's biggest national team rivalries in sports, as has been the case at Estadio Azteca for past matches."

The USSF added that the timing of the announcement was due to a desire to wait for the usual