Editing Cruz Azul (section)

====2005 abduction of Rubén Omar Romano====

On 16 July 2005, Cruz Azul manager [[Rubén Omar Romano]] was abducted by five men after leaving a pre-season training session. The assailants used two stolen vehicles to block his car, and a ransom note was later delivered to his family demanding $500,000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/21/world/americas/coach-abducted-adding-focus-to-common-mexican-dread.html|title = Coach Abducted, Adding Focus to Common Mexican Dread|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 21 July 2005|last1 = Mckinley|first1 = James C. Jr.}}</ref> During Romano's absence, assistant coach Isaac Mizrahi assumed coaching responsibilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com/noticias/Ruben-Omar-Romano-revela-como-se-rompio-su-relacion-con-Isaac-Mizrahi-despues-de-su-salida-de-Cruz-Azul-20200507-0006.html|title=Rubén Omar Romano revela cómo se rompió su relación con Isaac Mizrahi después de su salida de Cruz Azul|first=Vamos|last=Azul|website=Vamos Cruz Azul|date=7 May 2020 }}</ref>

After 65 days in captivity, Romano was located and safely rescued during a federal raid on a residence where he was being held. Authorities arrested seven individuals connected to the abduction, reportedly acting under the orders of convicted kidnapper José Luis Canchola.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2005/09/23/raid-ends-kidnap-for-coach/ |title=Raid ends kidnap for coach |date=23 September 2005 |access-date=2 June 2021 |archive-date=2 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602220317/https://www.ocregister.com/2005/09/23/raid-ends-kidnap-for-coach/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

While Romano was still in captivity, Cruz Azul chose not to renew his contract beyond the [[Primera División de México Apertura 2005|Apertura 2005 tournament]] and formally offered the head coaching position to Mizrahi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com/noticias/Isaac-Mizrahi-recuerda-cuando-asumio-la-banca-de-Cruz-Azul-tras-el-secuestro-de-Ruben-Omar-Romano-hace-15-anos-20200719-0007.html|title=Isaac Mizrahi recuerda cuando asumió la banca de Cruz Azul tras el secuestro de Rubén Omar Romano hace 15 años|date=19 July 2020|access-date=2 June 2021|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602220317/https://vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com/noticias/Isaac-Mizrahi-recuerda-cuando-asumio-la-banca-de-Cruz-Azul-tras-el-secuestro-de-Ruben-Omar-Romano-hace-15-anos-20200719-0007.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Romano later expressed disappointment over the club's decision and stated that the incident affected his personal relationship with Mizrahi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milenio.com/deportes/futbol/ruben-omar-romano-futbol-quitado-amistades-tecnico|title=Rubén Omar Romano: El futbol le ha quitado amistades al técnico|website=www.milenio.com|date=5 June 2020|access-date=2 June 2021|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215204/https://www.milenio.com/deportes/futbol/ruben-omar-romano-futbol-quitado-amistades-tecnico|url-status=live}}</ref>