What was meant to be a joyous celebration turned into a night of terror for two Costa Rican soccer fans, Christian Castro and Evelyn Izaba. The couple, celebrating their ninth wedding anniversary, were caught in a violent assault during a soccer match between their favorite team, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, and Guatemala’s Comunicaciones. This disturbing incident highlights the dangerous tensions that can erupt in sports environments, even when clubs implement security measures to prevent violence.
A Trip of a Lifetime Takes a Dangerous Turn
The couple had no idea that their anniversary celebration would turn into a nightmare. Christian and Evelyn had planned a trip to Guatemala to mark the special occasion, and by sheer coincidence, their beloved soccer team, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, was playing a match in Guatemala City during their stay. Excited by the opportunity to see their team play abroad for the first time, they eagerly bought tickets and headed to the stadium.
The couple was aware of the safety measures in place. Both Liga Deportiva Alajuelense and Comunicaciones had agreed to ban organized fan groups from attending the match to avoid the violence that sometimes follows such gatherings. But Christian and Evelyn were not affiliated with any group; they were simply passionate fans hoping to enjoy a rare international match.
Unfortunately, their excitement would soon be overshadowed by violence.
A Simple Question Leads to Trouble
The trouble began innocently enough. Christian Castro, unsure of where to enter the stadium, asked a security guard for assistance. “As I wasn’t sure which entrance to use, I asked a security guard if it was the right one. He rudely told me we couldn’t enter, and I explained that we weren’t part of any group,” Castro explained. But what should have been a routine interaction quickly escalated.
As the couple waited, a rival fan from Comunicaciones threw a beer at Christian and began hurling insults. Tensions mounted as more individuals joined in, forming a hostile group. Before they knew it, they were surrounded.
“There were about 15 or 20 people. I’m not sure how many exactly. They grabbed me and started hitting me. They wanted my shirt and sweater,” Castro recalled. Despite being unprovoked, the crowd attacked viciously, targeting Castro for wearing his team’s colors. Evelyn tried to flee, but she wasn’t safe either.
The Attack Intensifies
Evelyn, hoping to escape the escalating situation, attempted to run, but her efforts were in vain. A man and woman caught her and brutally punched her in the face. In an instant, their anniversary celebration had turned into a violent brawl.
As the attack unfolded, stadium security arrived at the scene. However, their intervention was not what the couple expected. Instead of helping, they shockingly instructed Christian to hand over his shirt and sweater to the attackers. This act of submission was supposed to quell the violence, but it only added to the couple’s distress.
Even as more security personnel arrived, the couple found little relief. They were moved to another part of the stadium, but the situation went from bad to worse. The exit doors were shut, trapping them inside the stadium as the chaos continued.
Struck with an Aluminum Pipe
Just when they thought they were safe, another fan of Comunicaciones approached Christian near one of the stadium’s entrances. The fan insulted him before delivering a vicious blow to his head with a three-meter-long aluminum pipe. Dazed and injured, Christian was left to process the senseless violence.
After the assault, the couple was taken to an ambulance. They were advised to stay hidden for two hours as security personnel informed them that attackers were actively searching for them. “They told us people were looking for us and asked us not to turn on our cell phones,” Christian said. The situation had spiraled out of control, and now, their very safety was at risk.
Blamed for the Attack
In a shocking twist, security personnel blamed Christian for the incident, claiming that he shouldn’t have been in the stadium. Despite their innocence and lack of affiliation with any organized fan group, they were treated as if they had caused the altercation. It was a crushing accusation for the couple, who had only wanted to enjoy the game.
Desperate for help, Christian reached out to the Costa Rican consul for assistance. The consul acted quickly, coordinating with high-ranking police officials to extract the couple from the dangerous situation. Thanks to the intervention of the Costa Rican government, Christian and Evelyn were finally escorted out of the stadium under police protection.
Safe at Last
After the terrifying ordeal, the couple was taken to San Juan de Dios hospital for medical treatment. Both Christian and Evelyn sustained injuries during the attack, but they were grateful to have escaped with their lives. The nightmare that began as a simple question to a security guard ended only after hours of violence, fear, and frustration.
The attack on Christian and Evelyn highlights the dangers that can arise in high-tension sports environments, even when measures are taken to prevent violence. Organized fan groups may have been banned from the match, but the lack of proper security and effective crowd control still allowed violence to erupt.
A Call for Greater Security
This horrifying incident serves as a reminder that more must be done to ensure the safety of fans at sporting events. While banning organized groups is a step in the right direction, it is not enough. Better training for stadium security, clearer protocols for handling disputes, and stricter enforcement of anti-violence measures are crucial to preventing similar incidents in the future.
Soccer is a passionate sport that brings people together. But when fan loyalty turns into violence, it not only ruins the experience for everyone involved but also puts innocent lives at risk. Christian and Evelyn’s story is a cautionary tale for sports organizers and fans alike.
The couple, who had hoped to enjoy their team’s first international game, left Guatemala with traumatic memories that will stay with them for years to come. It is essential that clubs and stadiums take these lessons to heart and work to create safer environments for all fans.
