MEXICO CITY (AP) — A Mexican government regulatory agency on Wednesday urged managers at the Azteca stadium to ban smoking inside the building, days after Brazil coach Ricardo Ferretti smoked on the bench during a Clausura tournament match.
On February 25, the coach of Cruz Azul was captured by television cameras and some press photographers as he smoked on the bench of the celestes during a match against Ciudad Juárez for the ninth round of the Mexican championship. .
“Article 65 bis of the regulations of the General Tobacco Control Law (states that) since it is a stadium considered to be a mass attendance establishment, it is the responsibility of the Azteca Stadium to implement, to respect and enforce the Provisions for spaces 100% free of smoke and tobacco emissions within its facilities, ”said the Federal Commission for the Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris) in a press release.
In January, the federal government ordered new measures that regulate the sale, promotion, acquisition and consumption of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Cofepris warned that in the event of a repeat offense, it would impose a fine, without however specifying the amounts.
Neither Cruz Azul, one of the four most popular teams in the country, nor Ferretti have released a position so far.
Ferretti, 69, is with Ignacio Trelles the most successful coach in the history of Mexican football, winning seven titles with three different teams.
The match against Ciudad Juárez marked his presentation with Cruz Azul.
Ferretti will lead again at the Azteca Stadium next Saturday in a game against the Pumas for the eleventh date.
The veteran coach has had previous problems with his behavior. In 2021, while leading the Braves, the Mexican Federation imposed a three-game suspension on him for remarks deemed racist during a press conference.