Too many strikers: Mexican team in standstill over wages protest

Mexico City (AFP) – Players of Mexican club Veracruz went on strike in the opening minutes of a league game on Saturday, allowing grateful opponents Tigres to walk in two goals unchallenged.

Veracruz decided on the radical action of standing — instead of running — about the pitch to protest over unpaid wages.

As a result, Eduardo Vargas and Andre-Pierre Gignac put Tigres 2-0 ahead inside three minutes on their way to a 3-1 win.

At the end of the games, Veracruz sarcastically applauded their opponents who they claim reneged on a promise to respect their strike.

“They knew that we were going to stay still for three minutes, it’s sad,” said Veracruz defender Carlos Salcido.

However, Tigres skipper Guido Pizarro insisted: “They told us that they were going to stop just for a minute and then it was three. We said we would only stay still for a minute.”

Veracruz are bottom of the table without a win in 13 games, having accrued just four points.

Tigres are third, three points off the lead.