The 10-0 rout that América Femenil inflicted on Cruz Azul ended up sparking a controversy that extended far beyond the field.
La Máquina’s defeat sparked a series of misogynistic comments during the “Pláticas del Mal” podcast, where panelist Santiago Domínguez hurled harsh insults at the players and questioned their ability to perform as professionals. Among his remarks, Domínguez suggested that the players be fired and made sexual and derogatory comments about them.
The situation quickly sparked outrage and led Cruz Azul Women’s Team, the Liga MX Femenil, and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to speak out against this type of rhetoric.
The Comments That Sparked the Controversy
During the program, Santiago Domínguez stated that he had no interest in women’s soccer and harshly criticized the members of the Cruz Azul women’s team. The panelist even went so far as to suggest that the players be sent to a strip club and questioned whether they should continue playing professionally.
The conversation continued with contributions from other podcast members.
Criss Ángel asked if the alternative would be OnlyFans, while Mike Máquina del Mal, identified as the group’s leader, made another comment related to working at a diner. Domínguez later made another remark in which he compared the soccer players to a domestic worker.
The comments sparked a wave of criticism on social media, where users labeled the content as misogynistic, sexist, and degrading.
Cruz Azul Femenil described the comments as unacceptable
The club’s response was swift. María Fernanda Pons, sports director of Cruz Azul Femenil, called the statements “absolutely unacceptable” and made it clear that the club has no intention of normalizing this type of rhetoric. The executive assured that respect for the players is non-negotiable and warned that the club would consider appropriate action.
“We will not normalize or remain indifferent to expressions that denigrate, sexualize, or violate the dignity of our players,” Pons stated.
The message was clear: a loss on the field cannot be used as a pretext to attack, sexualize, or humiliate female soccer players.
Cruz Azul is considering legal action
The Cruz Azul team also issued a statement expressing its displeasure with the remarks made on “Pláticas del Mal.” The club noted that the comments directed at its players and its sports director could constitute violence against women under Mexican law. As a result, Cruz Azul reserved the right to take legal action—both civil and criminal—against those responsible.
In addition, it announced that it will no longer associate with the content creators involved or with the companies that fund them. The club also assured that if María Fernanda Pons or any of the female soccer players decide to take legal action individually, they will receive legal support from the club.
The podcast hosts offered an apology
Following the backlash caused by their statements, the members of “Pláticas del Mal” issued a joint apology. In it, they acknowledged that the comments made during the show about the Cruz Azul Femenil players were inappropriate and that they crossed a line that, as they admitted, they should never have crossed.
The apology came after the remarks sparked a strong public backlash and prompted intervention from various institutions. However, for Cruz Azul, the matter did not end with the apology.
TeamMéxico cuts ties with the podcast
The controversy also had commercial consequences. TeamMéxico, a sports betting company that served as a sponsor of “Pláticas del Mal,” announced the cancellation of its contract with the show due to the comments made against the female soccer players. The company made it clear that it does not endorse that type of rhetoric.
“We do not support that kind of rhetoric, and we are certain that comments like these have no place in our company or in our society,” it stated in a press release.
Thus, the scandal not only prompted a response from Cruz Azul and the authorities but also had repercussions for the show itself and its commercial partnerships.
A rout that led to a much larger debate
América’s 10-0 victory over Cruz Azul Femenil will go down as one of the most lopsided wins in Mexican soccer history, but the conversation surrounding the match ended up taking a different turn. A sporting defeat can be analyzed, criticized, and discussed like any other result.
What sparked the controversy was that this criticism eventually turned into remarks directed at the women based on their gender. Now, Cruz Azul is considering possible legal action, authorities have condemned the comments, the podcast hosts have issued an apology, and one of their sponsors has decided to sever ties.
The episode has once again brought to the forefront a discussion that goes far beyond soccer: the need to ensure that sports criticism does not turn into violence, sexualization, or attacks against women.
