Mexico City, Aug 22 (IANS/EFE): The match between Mexico's Santos and Morelia teams was suspended due to gunfire outside Corona stadium in the city of Torreon, but no one was injured, team officials said.

The match, which was part of the sixth week of the Apertura tournament, was suspended Saturday.

Play was halted in the 40th minute when the players, referees and benches of both squads ran for cover after hearing gunfire from outside the stadium close to the goal defended by Morelia goalkeeper Federico Vilar.

Hundreds of spectators rushed on the field to protect themselves from the gunfire while scores of others took shelter under their seats.

The shootout apparently started outside the stadium when a Federal Police vehicle responded to shots fired by unidentified individuals, Santos officials said.

Fans were given the opportunity by Santos to stay in their seats after the source of the gunshots was confirmed and watch other matches on the big-screen televisions.

A baseball game in Nuevo Laredo, a border city in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas, was suspended last year when shooting started outside the stadium.