During their semi-final match against the USMNT, Mexico fans reportedly engaged in homophobic chants
Mexico may be subject to penalties as a result of their fans participating in a homophobic chant during the CONCACAF Nations League semi-final against the United States.
The supporters shouted a derogatory term, “puto,” when the United States goalkeeper, Matt Turner, kicked the ball up the field. The match was momentarily halted to issue warnings to the fans.
The offensive term “puto” refers to a male prostitute, but in Mexican Spanish, it is commonly used as a derogatory term for someone who is gay, and is often used to attack their masculinity.
The chant using this slur has been a persistent issue for the Mexican Football Federation, resulting in fines and calls for supporters to cease the practice. Following the 3-0 victory of the United States at the Allegiant Stadium, CONCACAF released a statement expressing strong condemnation for what they described as “discriminatory chanting”.
“Chants heard during the game led to the activation of the anti-discrimination protocol by the match officials. Additionally, security staff ejected several fans for engaging in unacceptable behaviour in the stadium,” said the confederation, which governs football in North and Central America and the Caribbean.
“These incidents were extremely disappointing and tarnished what should have been a positive occasion to showcase high-quality football in our region,” the statement added.
“The Confederation is in the process of urgently establishing further details and reports from security and match officials and will make a further statement in short order”.
Mexico has been fined over $650,000 and had to play a game without fans against Jamaica in September 2021.
The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) implemented an online ticket registration and QR code system to identify and ban offenders and discourage the use of a certain chant. Mexico is set to co-host the 2026 World Cup with the United States and Canada, and the previous federation president warned that they could lose the hosting rights due to the chant. The game between Mexico and Jamaica was intense, resulting in two players from each team being sent off.
Additionally, objects and drinks were thrown onto the field by the predominantly Mexican crowd, and laser pointers were aimed at Turner and other players.
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