Mexico's Clasico Nacional and all other Liga MX matches this weekend have been postponed after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake rocked the capital and surrounding states on Tuesday.
Over 200 people have died in the earthquake after dozens of buildings collapsed. The rescue and clean-up operation is ongoing.
Liga MX came to the decision on Wednesday afternoon, announcing that now is "time to help" the earthquake rescue effort. The statement indicated the league had consulted with municipal, state and federal government agencies regarding the decision.
The league later announced that the games scheduled for this weekend will now be played on Oct. 17 and 18. The Copa MX round of 16 games missed earlier this week will take place on Oct. 24 and 25.
Club America was due to host Mexico's most-hyped club rivalry in Estadio Azteca on Saturday, with over 70,000 fans expected. The club stated that it didn't want to divert security and police away from the clean-up operation, and added that its players and coaching staff -- including manager Miguel Herrera -- will all be volunteering in helping the region rebuild.
Heartwarming to see #ligamxeng stadiums around 🇲🇽 being used as donation points. This the scene outside Estadio Jalisco #FuerzaMexico pic.twitter.com/Qy7gCaJ0oP
— Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) September 20, 2017
The money generated from ticket sales when the game is eventually played will all be donated to the reconstruction effort.
Many Mexican clubs have used their stadiums and facilities as collection points for vital material to send to the affected.
Midweek Copa MX games were postponed on Tuesday, just hours after the earthquake struck.
Included in the help efforts were America players Edson Alvarez and Alejandro Diaz, who joined in gathering food and other items.
"Today there are not any soccer jerseys, soccer player titles, or anything of the sort," Diaz said. "We are all Mexicans today, so we must gather our efforts and help out."
Alvarez joined his teammate's sentiments, saying the clout they enjoy within society must be properly used under these circumstances.
"We must stick together. A Mexican person just does not leave a fellow Mexican behind," he said. "We must help. We cant take advantage of anything and just join relief efforts."