FIFA finally stepped in (not like Concacaf was going to) and punished Mexico for the continuous homophobic chants from fans on Friday. On top of a $65,000 fine, Mexico will be forced to play its first two home games of World Cup qualifying without fans. Officially, the punishment is due to the chants heard during Olympic qualifying.
Now official: Mexico will have to play its first two home World Cup qualifiers in an empty stadium as punishment for homophobic chants by its fans. Already an investigation is underway into additional recent instances, which means stiffer penalties could be on the way. pic.twitter.com/JaG633YNMS
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) June 18, 2021
FIFA statement makes it official:
Mexico will have to play two World Cup qualifiers in empty stadiums as punishment for homophobic chants pic.twitter.com/eYUlm5AWRD— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) June 18, 2021
FIFA and Concacaf have made small efforts in the past to stop the popular “ehh puto” chant from Mexico fans, but this is the first time a meaningful punishment has been doled out. Mexico tried several campaigns to discourage fans from using the chant, but those effort were ineffective.
The chant has still surfaced at the most recent games featuring Mexico.
The Concacaf Nations League semifinal and final were momentarily stopped due to Mexico fans belting out the chant. The chant was also heard at Mexico’s games during Olympic qualifying. FIFA has been aware of the issue for a long time.
It has taken FIFA far too long to finally start taking more serious action against Mexico for its fans' homophobic chants. This tweet is from four years ago. https://t.co/rXSDPiEgTk
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) June 18, 2021
Mexico’s first two home games are against Jamaica and Canada. This will be a huge advantage for the two nations as away games in Mexico are the most challenging in all of Concacaf.
Mexican National Team Response To Punishment
Mexican National Team President Yon de Luisa and manager Gerardo Martino had a press conference shortly after the punishments were announced.
"September 2019 Liga MX President and I presented the anti-discriminatory protocol."
- Yon de Luisa #PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 18, 2021
"The protocol has been implemented since 2019, during MNT and Liga MX matches the screens in the stadiums have shown the consequences."
- Yon de Luisa #PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 18, 2021
"We have received a sanction from FIFA's disciplinary commission caused by the chant heard on the stadium during the Concacaf Olympic Qualifiers."
- Yon de Luisa #PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 18, 2021
"I want to thank all the support from all the media, our great ally @Concacaf, the clubs, and all the fans who have followed the protocol and have behaved properly."
- Yon de Luisa #PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 18, 2021
"However, this has not been enough, so on behalf of the FMF, national teams, clubs, all of us who want to see México triumph, let's stop, let's stop now."
- Yon de Luisa #PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 18, 2021
"Let's recall the FIFA sanctions, fines, dispute one or more games behind closed doors, deduction of points, lose matches, exclusion from competition or tournament, relegation."
- Yon de Luisa #PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 18, 2021
"I want to make a call for reflection to the Mexican fans so that they understand the scope of this type of attitude."
- Gerardo Martino#PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 18, 2021
"If we don't stop this now, the effect it can have on the football industry in México can be devastating. I hope this is the first and last sanction that FIFA imposes."
- Yon de Luisa #PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 18, 2021
"We are awaiting information from FIFA, we know that the has also been investigated. What is very clear that any activity of our National Team where the discriminatory act exists, will be sanctioned."
- Yon de Luisa #PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 18, 2021
"We have to think that we are able to change this. It seems to me that we have achieved a lot these two years."
- Yon de Luisa #PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 18, 2021
"All the effort will continue until we manage to change this."
- Yon de Luisa #PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 18, 2021
