The already scandal-ridden Mexican Women’s Soccer League is facing renewed criticism and outrage after the shocking decision to release a man accused of stalking and threatening multiple high-profile players.
Over the past several years, the Liga MX Femenil has been plagued by allegations of sexual harassment, abuse, and misconduct. Players have come forward with disturbing stories of predatory behavior by coaches, officials, and fans.
In 2020, the first major case emerged when Tigres player Greta Espinoza filed a police report accusing a man named José Andres “N” of threatening and harassing her online. She provided evidence of hundreds of harassing messages. Despite the documentation, authorities failed to act.
More players later came forward, including star Club América striker Scarlett Camberos in early 2022. She revealed that the same man, José Andres “N,” had been impersonating her boyfriend online and spreading fake messages about their relationship. The club filed criminal complaints, but the stalking continued. Camberos eventually fled Mexico, fearing for her safety.
Latest Developments
In July 2022, Mexico City police finally arrested José Andres “N” based on multiple complaints. He was transferred to Nuevo Leon and placed in pretrial detention. Victims and clubs expressed relief that justice was finally being served.
However, in a shocking reversal this week, a Nuevo Leon judge ordered the release of José Andres “N” due to lack of evidence. The judge, Ángel Mario García Guerra, ruled that prosecutors had failed to make a sufficient case to maintain the preventative detention despite years of harassment complaints.
José Andres “N” is now under house arrest but is no longer behind bars. The victims and clubs are outraged, saying this puts players back at risk.
Reaction from Players, Clubs, Officials
Greta Espinoza spoke out angrily about the release, saying, “Threats, identity theft, hacking of accounts, harassment, and stalking are some of the things that several players and I have experienced.”
She added: “The level of harassment I suffered was documented in about 100 slides with irrefutable evidence, and nothing was enough to stop the harassment of this individual.”
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Club América also condemned the release, saying in a statement: “Despite months of harassment and digital violence, her aggressor, José Andrés “N” only received a precautionary measure of a house arrest for 36 hours.”
The club said it had taken every legal step, but the system had failed: “Given the lack of regulation and, despite months of harassment and digital violence, her aggressor, José Andrés “N” only received a precautionary measure of a house arrest for 36 hours.”
Officials with the Liga MX Femenil and the Mexican Football Federation expressed frustration with the outcome. They said it undermines confidence in the justice system and shows more needs to be done to protect players.
What to Expect?
Prosecutors in Nuevo Leon have vowed to continue building their case against José Andres “N” despite his release from jail. However, the victims and clubs are skeptical that anything meaningful will happen.
There are calls for strengthening laws against stalking, harassment, and online threats to better protect victims in the future. Some officials have proposed creating a special victims unit within law enforcement to properly investigate these types of cases.
For now, José Andres “N” remains under house arrest but could be set completely free if prosecutors are unable to assemble enough evidence to charge him before the next court hearing.
The clubs say they will boost security measures for players, but the damage is already done. The confidence of players in the league has been shaken again by the system’s inability to put their safety first.
Unless more is done to overhaul how these cases are handled, many fear the Liga MX Femenil will continue hemorrhaging talent as more players look to escape what they see as a broken culture of impunity.
About Liga MX Femenil
- Founded in 2016, the first professional women’s soccer league in Mexico
- 18 teams tied to men’s Liga MX clubs
- Has faced multiple scandals over harassment and abuse
- Critics say not enough is done to protect female players
- Teams have boosted security, but problems persist
Key Figures
- José Andres “N” – Alleged stalker, released from detention this week
- Greta Espinoza – Tigres player, first to file a complaint against him in 2020
- Scarlett Camberos – Club América player who fled Mexico due to stalking
- Ángel Mario García Guerra – Judge who ordered José Andres “N” released
- Liga MX Femenil – Professional women’s league in Mexico
- Mexican Football Federation – The governing body overseeing Liga MX Femenil