Who is Joaquín Velázquez, former coach of Cruz Azul arrested prior to the Concacaf semifinal

Before Cruz Azul played the semifinal back against Pumas of the Concacaf Champions League, he suffered a noticeable loss from Juan Reynoso's team. Joaquín Velázquez Elvira was arrested by security elements in the Mexican capital.

According to an official statement released by the directors of La Noria, around 19:00 on Tuesday, April 12, the one who until then served as technical assistant to La Máquina was arrested, Joaquín was heading to the Azteca Stadium for the commitment that the club would have, but could not appear for the game. For this reason, the club dismissed him from office and affirmed that he will collaborate with the competent authorities.

Since then, different versions have been circulated about the process that the former celestial element would face, since so far no official information has been shared explaining the crime for which Velázquez Elvira was arrested.

Who is Joanquín Velazquez?

Originally from the state of Veracruz, Joaquín served as a professional player in the First Division of Mexico and later when he retired he ventured into the technical direction of Mexican teams such as Puebla, Correcaminos FC, Toluca and Cruz Azul.

His debut as a player in the Liga MX was in the 1995-1996 season at the age of 20, the first club he entered was Puebla FC. Due to his ability as a central defender he was considered part of the team's starting eleven and became a frequent member of the lineup.

In his first year at the top Mexican football circuit, he participated in 255 matches, in which he managed to score a total of 22 goals. Thanks to his outstanding performance in the 95 - 96 season for the following year he played with the Santos Laguna club, so for the 1997 - 1998 season he dressed in the Los Guerreros jersey.

However, he did not have a prominent campaign as he only participated in 40 official games and only one score ended. He therefore decided to return to La Franja to play in the 1998-1999 season; with the camoteros he forged much of his career as a footballer because in his second stage with the club he spent six years with the poblano team.

It was until 2004 when he changed clubs and moved to the Lobos BUAP where he only played two years; for the 2006 tournament he returned to Puebla on a third occasion to play only two years.

He left the club again to return to his home state and compete with the Veracruz Red Sharks in 2009; with them he only played a short tournament because for the second half of the year he chose to dress as a camotero to begin the decline of his career. In 2010 he ended his time in Mexican football as he retired in 2013 with the Chivas USA squad.

Although he had moved away from the courts, he began a new stage very close to them as he ventured into the preparation of the teams. It was in 2012 when he approached the Camino Runner squad of the then Promotion League to become a prop; he was responsible for providing training material for the coach and the players for each match.

In 2016 he arrived at the Coras de Tepic club of the Second Division of the Liga MX, there he had his chance to become a technical assistant, later approached the Toluca club of the First Division and became an assistant for the Clausura 2019. To the next tournament he migrated to Puebla, a club he retained affection for.

That same year it coincided with the Peruvian Reynoso's mandate, so he became an element of his coaching staff; that was how he arrived at Cruz Azul in 2021 and was part of the ninth celestial championship.

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