Sunday’s Clásico was uneventful in the field as well as in the stands. The final score between long time rivals of the first division teams the Liga Deportiva Alajuelense and the Deportiva Saprissa, was 0-0. But the real winners were the thousands of fans attending the game, a violent free game.
More than 400 police officials were on duty outside the stadium and some 350 private security inside.
The director of the Fuerza Publica, Juan José Andrade, told the media after the game that 15 individuals were detained outside the stadium, mostly for larceny or arrest warrants.
The new law enforcement office set up in the National Stadium did not receive one complaint. The office, the first of its kind, is staffed by a lawyer of the Ministerio de Seguridad Publica to address criminal complaints during sports events.
According to the Ministro de Seguridad Publica, Mario Zamora, the effort was to allow people to enjoy the game and not be subjected to any type of violence.
Last week, the game between La Liga and the Cartagines, also played in the National Stadium, had to be suspended due to violence incited by hooligans.