Resurgence of Discriminatory Chant Puts Mexico Under FIFA’s Microscope
An offensive anti-gay slur, repeatedly heard from sections of the Mexican fanbase, is once again drawing the attention of world football’s governing body, FIFA. The chant resurfaced during Mexico’s decisive 3-0 victory over Czechia on Wednesday night, with at least three distinct instances of the offensive slogan echoing through the stadium.
This particular chant has a history of disrupting matches and has previously resulted in penalties for the Mexican national team. Despite its known problematic nature and FIFA’s past efforts to curb its use, play was permitted to continue on Wednesday without interruption, even as the crowd’s vocalizations were clearly audible.
A Familiar Problem with a Troubling Return
The chant, typically aimed at the opposing goalkeeper, has been a persistent issue for years. FIFA has previously taken disciplinary action against Mexico for similar incidents. During the 2018 World Cup, the organization levied fines against the Mexican Football Federation after the chant was used in a match against Germany. This disciplinary measure appeared effective in the short term, as the chant was absent from Mexico’s subsequent game against South Korea.
However, the issue re-emerged during the 2019 Gold Cup. CONCACAF, the regional governing body, issued a statement condemning the chant as “offensive.” Despite these warnings and appeals, the slur returned during a match against the United States. While Mexico ultimately won the Gold Cup that year, the incident prompted FIFA to revise its disciplinary code. The updated protocol introduced a three-step response to discriminatory behavior, beginning with a temporary stoppage of play, escalating to a match suspension if the chants persisted, and culminating in an abandonment of the game at the highest level.
Federation’s Efforts and FIFA’s Next Move
The Mexican Football Federation has also undertaken its own initiatives to address the problem. In 2021, the federation released public service announcements featuring prominent Mexican players urging fans to refrain from using the chant, labeling it as “discriminatory.” These campaigns also warned of potential ejections for individuals participating in or initiating the chant.
Despite these concerted efforts from both the federation and FIFA, the persistent use of the chant indicates that the message has not fully resonated with a segment of the fanbase. With the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by Mexico, the recurring nature of this issue places significant pressure on FIFA to implement further disciplinary measures. Previous penalties have included substantial fines and matches played behind closed doors, underscoring the seriousness with which FIFA has approached the matter in the past. The responsibility now falls to FIFA to determine its next course of action.
