Referee Katia Itzel García struck by ball in Querétaro‑Tigres match

During a Liga MX match between Querétaro and Tigres, central referee Katia Itzel García was hit in the face by a ball kicked by Querétaro forward Paulo Victor de Almeida. The incident occurred in stoppage time after a foul had been called, and the ball struck the referee at close range.

Former referee Paco Chacón publicly accused the player of intentionally targeting the official, while the match officials deemed the contact accidental and took no disciplinary action, leaving the player unpunished. The episode sparked a wave of criticism on social media and prompted calls for the Mexican Referees' Commission to investigate the incident.

The controversy added to existing tensions over officiating in the game, which already featured disputed VAR decisions and other contentious moments.