The Estadio Azteca (also known as Estadio Banorte) will remain open for this weekend's Club América match after a brawl between players during the team's game against Toluca on Saturday, and a video showing fans racially abusing a player after the contest put its status in jeopardy.In the 97th minute of América's 2-1 win over Toluca, winger Helinho chopped down América's Alan Cervantes, immediately drawing a red card for the danger of his tackle. That drew more than half the players on each team to the far sideline where they engaged in a shoving match. After that skirmish calmed, another incident popped up near the center circle, with América winger Alejandro Zendejas and Helinho getting physical before assistant referee Karen Diaz restrained Zendejas from further confrontation.
After being separated, Helinho again went after Zendejas, slapping him in the head.Finally, teammates ushered Helinho off the field, but cameras captured Toluca manager Antonio Mohamed chirping his rival, América manager Andre Jardine, about their history. Toluca is the back-to-back Liga MX champion after ending Club América's run of three consecutive titles.But videos posted on social media later showed that the fighting continued into the tunnel players use to get to their locker rooms. Helinho was involved in additional physical confrontations, with fans watching through a glass door.
One fan was shown flipping off the winger, a gesture Helinho returned. Another fan then is heard making racist insults toward the player.The video below contains offensive gestures and languageClub América's regular-season finale risked being played behind doors because of the incidents, but América put tickets for Saturday's game on sale this week and the FMF, Mexican soccer's governing body, confirmed late Monday night that the stadium would receive only a fine for "the conduct displayed by fans who attended the match."Which Club América and Toluca players will be suspended?América forward Henry Martin is the only player who Jardine will have to do without on Tuesday, April 21 against Club León.
The 33-year-old was given a one-match suspension and a fine for "altercations in the interior of the Estadio Banorte." Zendejas was fined for his role in the on-field altercation.Toluca was hit much harder, with Mohamed suspended for a match and fined for "inappropriate conduct toward an opponent." His son and assistant, Sahyr, also was hit with a one-game ban for leaving the technical area and protesting to the officiating staff.Those suspensions will be served Wednesday, April 22 when Toluca visits Mazatlán.Helinho will be suspended for three matches, between serving his red card suspension, "violent conduct and altercations in the interior of the Estadio Banorte."
He'll miss the final two matches of the regular season.How long will Club América play at the Estadio Azteca before the World Cup opener?The iconic venue will host the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11 and will host four additional games after that contest between Mexico and South Africa. Mexico will become the first-ever country to host matches in three World Cup tournaments. The final was at the Azteca in the 1970 and 1986 editions of the competition.While América will be able to play its regular season finale and the first round of the LIguilla there, multiple Mexican reports indicate FIFA is scheduled to take possession of the venue May 13.
Las Águilas need to get into the playoffs before dealing with any scheduling conflicts. They currently sit sixth with 22 points, with Saturday's opponent Atlas and Tuesday's opponent Club León each sitting just behind also with 22 points but behind on goal difference.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Club America-Toluca brawl: FMF announces suspensions