Pumas fitness coach sparks brawl after throwing bottle at Santos bench
Rodrigo Barrios was sent off after being caught throwing a bottle toward the home side's bench during a tense Liga MX clash.
The 12th round of the Apertura 2026 Liga MX season between Santos and Pumas ended in controversy. The match, already tense due to the early expulsion of Nathan Silva in just the second minute, reached a boiling point in the final stages.
The conflict erupted in the 86th minute when Pumas player Juninho Vieira was substituted. As he walked off the pitch, he exchanged words with Santos fans near the benches and gestured toward the stands. This drew an angry reaction from the home team's technical staff sitting nearby.
In the ensuing chaos, Pumas fitness coach Rodrigo Barrios threw a bottle toward the Santos bench. The fourth official observed the act, leading to his immediate dismissal by the center referee. The incident triggered a brawl between members of both teams, which was eventually broken up by the officiating crew.
Under the FMF Disciplinary Commission's regulations, Barrios faces a potential suspension ranging from one to 15 matches. The final sanction will be determined by the referee's report and the severity of the violent conduct documented.