All Mexican Games to Be Played Without Fans

This weekend, all nine Mexican first division games will be played behind closed doors, a move aimed at stemming the spread of swine flu.

“This decision was made … in full awareness of the health emergency confronting Mexico,” the Mexican soccer federation announced.

Mexico’s 18 first-division clubs will take a significant financial hit. Matches draw 200,000 to 300,000 fans each weekend. Mexico sports newspaper Record estimated clubs could lose about 24 million pesos (about $2 million) in ticket sales if all matches are closed. Clubs rely on ticket sales for the majority of their revenue.