26-05-2025
San Diego FC and LA Galaxy denounce post-match fan violence at Snapdragon Stadium
San Diego FC vs. LA Galaxy game (via Getty Images)
San Diego FC and LA Galaxy issued a joint statement of condemnation after a violent fight involving fans erupted following their Saturday MLS match at Snapdragon Stadium. The fight, which broke out shortly after San Diego FC won on Saturday night, is a fresh wake-up call over fan behavior and matchday safety, particularly for the league's newest team that has already seen such incidents this season.
San Diego FC-LA Galaxy post-game fan violence prompts joint response
San Diego FC vs. LA Galaxy | Full Match Highlights | Chucky Lozano Stoppage Time Magic!
The post-game environment at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday was anything but festive. While San Diego FC recorded another win against the LA Galaxy, video emerged of competing fans having outright fights in the stands shortly after the final whistle. Witnesses also reported persistent skirmishes in the parking lots surrounding the stadium, so authorities acted quickly.
Local media CBS 8 San Diego confirmed that minor injuries were sustained by one individual in the fistfights.
'I just wanna state clearly, as we did earlier in the season, our club values are really clear. There's no place for violence in this sport. This is the beautiful game. It's supposed to bring joy.' San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas said in his postgame press conference.
It is not the first such incident that San Diego FC, a new club in its first Major League Soccer season, has had to deal with concerning fan activity. There were confrontations during an April home game against LAFC, and the club had to address reports of homophobic taunts from its own seating area earlier in the season.
In both previous cases, San Diego FC reiterated its dedication to creating a safe and welcoming matchday atmosphere. Saturday's incidents evoked a collective response, with both the San Diego FC and the LA Galaxy issuing a joint statement:
'San Diego FC and the LA Galaxy are united in our efforts to foster a safe and welcoming environment for all fans attending our matches. There is no room for violence in our sport. The incidents that occurred following Saturday's match at Snapdragon Stadium do not reflect the values of either club and are entirely unacceptable.'
Snapdragon Stadium, which seats about 35,000 supporters and also hosts NWSL and NCAA games, has, in general, had incident-free matches. The recent string of fan-on-fan incidents, though, has pressured the club executives and the stadium administrators to enhance security measures—particularly in high-profile rivalry matches.
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As San Diego FC establishes itself in Major League Soccer, the test of fostering a respectful, open fan culture weighs heavily. Saturday's ugly scenes are a reminder that rivalries have to stay within the realm of passion, not violence. With both clubs taking a stand, and public pressure mounting, all eyes will now be on what tangible action ensues to avert a repeat of such incidents in future games.
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