Soccer in the Time of Swine Flu

1 minute read
By TIME

Fear of the illness leads Mexican authorities to close the country’s football matches to fans.

Silent in the Stands

As of April 26, all professional soccer matches in Mexico have been played to empty stadiums.Jorge Dan Lopez / Reuters

Vast Empty

Mexico City's Aztec Stadium, one of the world's largest soccer stadiums, can accommodate 105,000 people. For this April 26 match between America and Tecos, not a single seat was occupied.Gregory Bull / AP

Action

America's Juan Carlos Silva angles a header against a backdrop of empty seats.Gregory Bull / AP

Goooooooal!

The response to this score was decidedly more muted than usual.Jorge Dan Lopez / Reuters

Celebration

Chivas team members celebrate a goal against Pumas.Gregory Bull / AP

Televised

Fans were able to keep track of their favorite teams on the air.Gregory Bull / AP

Thanks

Jose Corona, the goalkeeper for Tecos, celebrates his team's goal against America.Gregory Bull / AP

Halftime

America's players head for the locker room.Gregory Bull / AP

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