Mexico’s Iglesias culture clash over a soccer stadium
Mexico’s government and soccer fans have clashed over a proposed soccer stadium that could be used to host Mexico’s top domestic team and rival clubs from across the world.
A court in Mexico City on Thursday denied the construction permit for a planned stadium that will house the national team, the Mexico City Football Federation (FCF), as well as rival clubs, including Liga MX club Estudiantes, to play in a venue that is designed to play a smaller role in the country’s sports and culture.
The court ruled on a request by the Mexican government, which wanted to use the stadium as a staging ground for events like the World Cup, and the FCF.
The decision, which has sparked anger among supporters of the Mexican national team and clubs from the world’s biggest soccer leagues, has raised the stakes for Mexico’s bid for a World Cup berth that could take place next year.
The country’s bid has been in limbo for months amid a dispute over a new stadium site, which led to the closure of the stadium in October.
The case comes amid a cultural clash between the countrys top soccer and culture leaders as the nations bid for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and the 2022 Olympics approaches.
In recent months, soccer-mad Mexico has been rocked by a string of attacks on stadiums and clubs.
In a statement issued on Friday, the government said the court ruling would allow construction to continue.
It called on the public to continue to support the construction project and for the court to consider a petition to the Constitutional Court to declare the stadium illegal.
The construction site is about 2.8 miles (3 kilometers) from the Azteca Stadium, which was used to hold the national soccer team’s last game in 2018, in Ciudad Victoria, according to the state-run radio station, Radio La Jornada.
It was not immediately clear when the stadium would be used.
The soccer federation is based in the city of Oaxaca.