Clashes spark safety concerns for World Cup in Mexico

Although none of Germany‘s group-stage matches at next summer’s World Cup are to be played in Mexico, government officials in Berlin are already thinking about the impact the recent clashes between security forces and suspected members of a drug cartel could have on the men’s national team.

“FIFA must work with the governments of Canada, the United States, and Mexico to ensure that fans are not endangered and that the host countries comply with safety regulations,” Christoph Ploss, the German government’s tourism coordinator, told the Handelsblatt newspaper.

He also stressed that protecting German tourists was a “very high priority” for Berlin.

Germany’s Foreign Office is among the national authorities of many countries, which have updated their travel advisories for Mexico. It now urgently advises its citizens to avoid travel to affected areas in the country and calling on Germans in the country to shelter indoors.

More than 70 killed in clashes

The advisory was issued shortly after the news broke of the killing of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes or “El Mencho” by security forces on Monday – and the ensuing clashes that have left more than 70 people killed.

Following reports of his death, suspected cartel members also blockaded highways with burning cars ⁠and torched businesses in more than ​half a dozen states. No civilian deaths were reported.

Cervantes was the head of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Carte. Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, is slated to host four World Cup matches. Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron is one of three Mexican venues set to host World Cup matches this summer. The stadium is also to host playoff matches between Congo, Jamaica and New Caledonia from ‌March 26 to 31.

Mexico home to 13 World Cup matches

In total, world football‘s governing body, FIFA, has scheduled 13 matches to be played in Mexico, including the prestigious opening match in the capital on June 11. The bulk of the 104 matches are to be played in the United States (78), with Canada hosting the remaining 13.

The current wave of violence has foreign governments worried about sending their teams and fans to Mexico, and has locals concerned about how the violence could impact their businesses.

‘It will have an impact’

Maria Dolores Aguirre, who owns a corner shop in the town of Tapalpa in Jalasco state, told the Associated Press that her business is highly dependent on tourism.

“The government is going to have to have a lot of security. I think it will have an impact because everyone just saw what happened and, of course, people are going to think twice about coming,” she said. “Yes, it will have an impact.”

The violence has already had a major effect on football in the country, with four matches in the top divisions of the women’s and men’s leagues called off on Sunday.

However, the Merida Open women’s ​tournament in the eastern part ‌of the country was reportedly proceeding as planned.

“The WTA is aware of security incidents reported in parts of western Mexico,” the WTA said in a statement, adding that police presence ​around the tournament venue had been stepped up.

Friendly against Iceland

Meanwhile, the Mexico national team are due to face Iceland in a friendly at Queretaro on Wednesday.

The head of marketing for the Icelandic FA, Omar Smarason, told DW via email that they were keeping “well informed” about the situation on the ground.

“As far as we are concerned, the schedule for today and tomorrow remains unchanged. Security is tight as it should be, and the safety of everyone connected to the game is what is most important,” he said.

“Our main concern is for the people here in Mexico who have been affected by this unrest.”

FIFA ‘closely monitoring situation’

Until the violence that broke out in Mexico on Monday, most of FIFA’s concerns will have been about the main host, the United States, which has faced calls for a fan boycott, largely over the actions of ICE immigration officers in places like Minnesota.

As for Mexico, with more than three months still to go before the World Cup kicks off, FIFA appears to be taking a wait-and-see approach.

“At FIFA Mexico, we are closely monitoring the situation in Jalisco and remain ​in constant communication with the authorities,” a FIFA spokesperson told Reuters.

“We will continue to follow the actions and directions from the ​different government agencies, aimed at maintaining public safety and restoring normalcy, and we reiterate ​our close collaboration ‌with federal, state, and local authorities.”

For now, the German Football Association (DFB) isn’t panicking either.

“Let’s hope this war-like situation calms down quickly and doesn’t escalate further,” Andreas Rettig, the DFB’s managing director told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper. “My thoughts are with all of the Mexicans suffering due to the unrest.”

Additional reporting by Alima Hotakie.
Edited by: Jonathan Harding