A FOOTBALL fan tragically died at Mexico’s iconic Azteca Stadium after falling from a box seat moments before last night’s clash with Portugal.
The historic ground, now called Estadio Banorte, reopened for the game following extensive renovations.
It is set to host this summer‘s World Cup curtain raiser between Mexico and South Africa on June 11.
But unfortunately its reopening was overshadowed by a tragic incident.
Per Reuters, a man attempted to jump from the second level of VIP box seats to the first.
While climbing the exterior the man, who security officials say was intoxicated, fell to the ground floor.
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A statement posted to social media subsequently read: “Mexico City Public Prosecutor’s Office (Fiscalía CDMX) deeply regrets the death of a person on Saturday, 28 March inside the Banorte Stadium, prior to the start of the Mexican national team’s friendly match.
“From the outset, officials from the Attorney General’s Office, forensic experts and officers from the Investigative Police attended the scene to commence the necessary investigations.
“The area was cordoned off, the scene was secured, and evidence was collected by experts specialising in criminalistics, photography and forensic medicine.
“Furthermore, analysis of CCTV footage from the stadium and its entrances is underway, as is the collection of statements from people who were at the scene, with the aim of accurately reconstructing the sequence of events and determining potential liability.
“Similarly, the statutory post-mortem procedure is currently underway to establish with certainty the cause of death, as well as the physical condition of the individual at the time of the fall.
“The Mexico City Public Prosecutor’s Office will continue its investigations thoroughly and will keep the public informed as relevant developments arise, in strict accordance with the principles of due process.”
Estadio Banorte is set to become the first stadium to host matches at three World Cups – having also done so in 1970 and 1986.
In addition to the tournament opener, it is set to host Uzbekistan vs Colombia, Mexico vs Czechia or Denmark, a round of 32 match, and a last 16 encounter.
Despite the tragic incident prior to the match, last night’s friendly went ahead as planned.
Mexico drew 0-0 with Portugal, who were without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo.