In what turned out to be a shocking decision, Mexican referees took a stand and defended themselves for what they considered to be unfair treatment, by going on strike and forcing Liga MX to spend a weekend without football.
The decision was taken by the Asociación Mexicana de Árbitros (Mexican Referees Association) after Liga MX's Disciplinary Comission decided to ban striker Enrique Triverio and defender Pablo Aguilar for eight and ten games, respectively. Both players went as far as to hit those referees - one with his fist, the other one with his head-, which prompted their colleagues to demand justice.
Defender Pablo Aguilar attempted to head-butt referee Fernando Hernández while aggresively shoving him with his chest.
Toluca's Enrique Triverio shoved referee Miguel Angel Flores, earning a well-deserved red card.
Liga MX officers issued a press release after the decision was made. Visibly upset, league president Enrique Bonilla revealed that no one in the league's headquarters was informed of the decision until ref Luis Enrique Santander refused to work in the game between Veracruz and Puebla, set for Friday evening.
"The Mexican Football Federation and Liga MX have decided to call off the Clausura 2017's Matchday 10, considering that all referees designated to work in those games have refused to do their job. This decision was taken without any prior negotiation with the league," the document states.
It is yet early to say when these games will be played, since the calendar has almost no room to reschedule an entire matchday.
We will provide you with more updates as this story unfolds.