Football
Associated Press 7y

Five arrested as violence halts Mexican club legends friendly in California

A friendly between former players of two Mexican clubs turned violent during half-time when dozens of fans invaded the pitch and brawled.

The Orange County Register reported that the "game of legends" between ex-Club America and Pumas players in California had been organised as a benefit for the Santa Ana-based United Soccer Talents Foundation, which supports players.

Santa Ana police commander Jeffrey Smith said about 50 fans invaded the pitch and began fighting at half-time.

Police officers cleared the pitch and stands, detaining five people, and the game was abandoned, Smith said.

Video footage showed some fans repeatedly kicking one man who was down on the ground.

Better-known players at the game included former Mexican national team members Luis Roberto "Zague" Alves and Alberto Garcia Aspe, Paraguay's Salvador Cabanas, Chile's Fabian Estay and Colombia's Andres Chitiva.

The rivalry between the Club America and Pumas is intense in Mexico.

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