Santos Laguna fans once again publicly turned on club president Aleco Irarragorri during this weekend's match. This latest episode of discontent occurred during the 0-0 draw with Tigres at TSM Corona, as reported by Record MX. Renato Paiva's team remains at the bottom of the Liga MX table, sitting in 17th place with 0 points after five consecutive losses to start the Apertura 2026.
The atmosphere turned tense when a pre-recorded motivational message from Irarragorri to the squad was shown on the stadium screens. The reaction was immediate: a torrent of boos and whistles filled the venue, making the rift between the leadership and its supporter base unmistakably clear. This is not an isolated incident but the latest chapter in a disagreement that has been worsening over time.
Why are the fans so angry?
The frustration among Santos Laguna supporters has built up due to a string of poor results and actions perceived as distant from the leadership. The sporting situation is critical: the team has scored 4 goals and conceded 11, for a -7 goal difference. They also trail the league leaders, Club America, by 13 points. The 3-2 loss to Puebla in Matchday 6, just before the Tigres game, only added fuel to the fire.
A week before the Tigres match, a video circulated on social media showing Aleco Irarragorri at a private celebration. This imagery coincided with the loss to Puebla, which many fans interpreted as a lack of commitment during a delicate moment. The perception of disconnection has solidified.
Has this happened with Irarragorri before?
Yes, this direct rejection has clear precedents. In June 2025, during a commemorative match between historical figures of Santos and Chivas, fans protested when Irarragorri tried to address them from the pitch. Another key moment came in February 2026, after a 1-2 home defeat to Mazatlán. On that occasion, supporters protested by covering their faces with paper bags and trash, and stadium security removed some attendees who chanted direct slogans against the administration.
In the latest incident, Irarragorri attempted to appeal for respect. "Yo les voy a pedir que, aunque no he dado resultados y no hemos dado resultados, guardemos el respeto para un día como lo es hoy," the president said. However, his message was not heard, drowned out by the sound of discontent.
What is the team's current situation?
Santos Laguna is going through one of its worst recent sporting moments. With 0 points in the table, they share the bottom spot with FC Juárez, although the latter has a game in hand. The last result logged in our stats was a 0-1 loss to Atlas on July 26. Their recent form over the last five outings is 2 wins and 3 losses (LWWLL).
Manager Renato Paiva has the difficult task of lifting the team's morale and performance. The next test comes on September 27, when Santos Laguna hosts CF Pachuca, who are 14th in the table. Fans are waiting for an on-field reaction that has not yet materialized, and the pressure on the leadership to reconnect with the fanbase is now higher than ever. You can follow the squad's development on our squad page and check the upcoming schedule on the fixtures calendar.
