Queretaro, the Mexican soccer team who played host to one of the craziest brawls in recent sports history, was just hit with severe punishment for Saturday's incident ... and will now have to play games in an empty stadium for a year.
As we previously reported, dozens of people were injured, some severely, after a melee broke out during the Queretaro vs. Atlas soccer game at Estadio Corregidora last weekend.
After an investigation, officials in Mexico handed down the punishment on Tuesday ... and they didn't take it easy.
The current Queretaro ownership group has been banned from the league for 5 years ... and the club's previous owners, Grupo Caliente, will lead the charge in finding a new group to purchase the team. If Grupo Caliente can't find a buyer, Liga MX will take over the reins.
#Mexico: Riot at Mexican top flight match between Queretaro and Atlas FC leaves at least 22 injured and two reportedly killed. pic.twitter.com/Ll0fNokR0S
— دودول طلا (@LievanTem) March 6, 2022
On top of the change in ownership, Queretaro will be forced to pay $1.5 million pesos ($70,000) in fines.
The scene was brutal -- fans began fighting in the stands during the match ... and it eventually spilled onto the field, causing the officials to stop the game.
The incident got so bad, it led many to call for FIFA to remove Mexico as one of the hosts of the 2026 World Cup ... but as of right now, no change has been made.