Article #49563

• ‘Nearly 200 hooded individuals’ caused havoc

• Dozens of arrests made and several officers injured

Mexico’s opening World Cup victory party was somewhat tarnished by violent clashes outside the Azteca Stadium just before kick-off as ticketless fans and protesters attempted to gain access.

Rocks and bottles were thrown at police outside gate eight, with local media reporting that dozens of arrests were made as a result. While Mexico City police have been grappling with protests from teachers, retired judges and families of the country’s 130,000 disappeared all week in the buildup to the tournament, the disorder at the stadium did not appear to be politically motivated.