Swine flu closes stadiums in football-mad Mexico

AFP - 27 April 2009 03:45

General view of the Aztec stadium during the Mexican league football match between America and Tecos held behind closed doors following an outbreak of a swine flu virus, in Mexico City, on April 26. More than 500 cultural and athletic events - including mass celebration - have been scuttled by government order in the capital city alone, as a preventive measure against contagion of the virus.

MEXICO CITY (AFP) - The swine flu outbreak that has swept across Mexico forced football stadiums to be shuttered, with a game at the capital's 105,000-seater Aztec Stadium played before an empty house.

Fans watched on television at home as Mexico City's America team played at the normally jam-packed stadium against Tecos, linked to Guadalajara University, on Sunday.

Mexico's football federation decided to play Mexico City's two Sunday games behind closed doors, in order to help prevent the spread of a flu virus that is thought to have claimed 81 lives in Mexico alone.

Among the handful of people who watched America's 2-1 loss were the head of the national side Javier Aguirre, who joined a smattering journalists and club representatives at the cavernous and usually electric venue.

The city's 66,000-seater Olympic University Stadium was also empty as The Pumas drew 1-1 with Chivas.

The last match to be played without a crowd at the Aztec Stadium was in May 2004, when America were punished for crowd trouble at a previous game.