At least three times during Mexico’s 3-0 win over Czechia on Wednesday, Mexico’s fans could be heard chanting an anti-gay slur on the broadcast. The chant, which has caused play stoppages and fines in the past, was mostly ignored by officials, who allowed the contest to continue despite repeated use of the slur.
The particular chant is not a new thing for the team’s fans. The team and its fans have faced punishment in recent years for the chant, in which fans direct an anti-gay slur at the opposing team, usually its goalkeeper.
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Despite FIFA’s attempts to curb the chant, it returned Wednesday, causing questions over whether FIFA will take action once again to try to stop the chant.
In the past, FIFA has generally used warnings and fines to stop the homophobic chant. At the 2018 World Cup, FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against the team after fans performed the chant during a win over Germany. The team was eventually fined for the chant.
That particular instance proved to be successful. The team’s fans did not engage in the chant during a win over South Korea. The fine, and pleas from Mexico’s players at the time, worked.
But that was short-lived. The chant returned at the 2019 Gold Cup. The team’s fans were once again urged to stop the chant, with CONCACAF releasing a statement calling the chant “offensive,” but it was prevalent when Mexico took on the USMNT in the Gold Cup final.
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Shortly after the 2019 Gold Cup, which was won by Mexico, FIFA updated its disciplinary code, giving referees a three-step procedure to enforce in response to “discriminatory incidents.”
Under that policy, referees were advised to stop play until the chants stop, suspend the match if the chants continue and then abandon the match if the situation continues to devolve. Officials did not follow that protocol during Wednesday’s contest.
In 2021, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) attempted to put a stop to the chants. The FMF put out two videos, one which called the chant “discriminatory” and another in which prominent players urged fans to stop using the chant, threatening ejection for those who start or engage in it.
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Those attempts were unsuccessful. Mexico’s fans once again used the chant during a game against the USMNT that June.
FIFA finally issued punishment against Mexico for its fans’ repeated use of the slur. The FMF was fined $65,000 and the team was forced to play two World Cup qualifiers in empty stadiums.
Will Mexico be punished for homophobic chant at 2026 World Cup?
While FIFA could attempt to take action against Mexico once again, enforcing those actions could prove difficult. Mexico is one of the host countries for the 2026 World Cup, with games being held in Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey.
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Officials could attempt to stop matches at those venues if Mexico’s fans decide to utter the chant, though that would be an unpopular move. Escalating things to the level of suspending or abandoning a match could also be met with a negative response from fans.
And while FIFA has shown a willingness in the past to make Mexico play games in an empty stadium, doing that during the World Cup is unrealistic … especially with games being held in Mexico.
That puts FIFA in a difficult spot. A hefty fine could do enough to put fear into the FMF, though it wouldn’t have an effect on the fans unless Mexico’s players start to speak out again, discouraging the chant.
That’s a strategy that’s had some success in the past, though has yet to result in a long-term solution.
