Mexico’s co-hosting of next summer’s World Cup has come under the highlight after significant violent unrest broke out following the killing of a high-profile drug lord, Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes.
Oseguera Cervantes, higher referred to as ‘El Mencho’, was killed within the western state of Jalisco in a military operation on Sunday.
El Mencho was head of the Jalisco Latest Generation Cartel, referred to as CJNG, and oversaw operations of some of the powerful and fastest-growing criminal organisations in Mexico.
The 59-year-old’s death sparked violence within the state of Jalisco, which has spread to greater than a dozen states throughout the nation.
Armed groups have arrange roadblocks to impede army operations, while cars and public buildings have also been set alight.
Greater than 70 people have been killed within the operation to kill El Mencho and the following violence. That figure includes suspected cartel members, members of the Mexican National Guard, and civilians.
Guadalajara is the capital city of Jalisco, the epicentre of the violence, and is attributable to host 4 matches at this summer’s tournament. Additionally they plan hold FIFA’s Fan Fest in the town centre, with 200,000 fans expected to attend.
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Several matches in the lads’s and girls’s top-flight football divisions have been postponed following the outbreak of violence, although other sporting events, similar to the Mexico Open, have continued as usual.
But probably the most recent spate of violence has raised long-term concerns over the danger to fans travelling to the country next summer.
While violence is more likely to subside in the approaching days and weeks, the death of El Mencho could see rival cartels and figures look to fill the facility vacuum and the potential for sustained violence over an extended period.
Metro has contacted FIFA for comment.
What has FIFA said in regards to the violence in Mexico?
In a press release provided to The Athletic, a FIFA spokesperson said: At FIFA Mexico, we’re closely monitoring the situation in Jalisco and remain in constant communication with the authorities.
‘We are going to proceed to follow the actions and directions from the various government agencies, geared toward maintaining public safety and restoring normalcy, and we reiterate our close collaboration with federal, state, and native authorities.’
Alongside matches in Guadalajara, one other five are scheduled in Mexico City, and 4 in Monterrey.
But FIFA stressed their ‘confidence’ within the country’s security planning ahead of the World Cup, stating: ‘Mexico is approaching World Cup planning as a matter of national security and national pride, and so they have resourced the planning accordingly. FIFA is confident within the intelligence and operational capabilities of its Mexican partners.’
While the summer tournament continues to be several months away, the upcoming playoffs in March are of more pressing concern.
Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, Latest Caledonia and Suriname are all vying for 2 of the ultimate spots, with playoff matches set to happen in Guadalajara and Monterrey.
But FIFA has not indicated any plans to maneuver the games, saying they’d not comment on ‘hypothetical situations and speculation’.
What impact does this have on England and Scotland fans?
England and Scotland are playing their group-stage fixtures solely in the USA, but each could face a visit to Mexico for his or her first knockout round.
The Three Lions could face a possible round-of-32 clash with co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City, while Steve Clarke’s side could meet the Netherlands in Monterrey in the event that they finish runners-up of their group.
Nonetheless, there’s a possibility that the Republic of Ireland could play two of their three group matches in Mexico in the event that they qualify for the tournament.
Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side travel to the Czech Republic for his or her playoff semi-final in March, knowing a win would see them advance to a winner-takes-all final against either Denmark or North Macedonia for a spot in next summer’s tournament.
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