FIFA opens new probe into Mexico fans’ homophobic chants
In Mexico’s group stage closing match against Saudi Arabia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, some fans of El Tri were heard chanting homophobic slurs.
During the duel between Mexico and Saudi Arabia for the qualification to the round of 16, fans of El Tri chanted a homophobic slur at the end of the game to show their dissatisfaction with the result that would eventually leave Mexico out of the World Cup.
Mexico only needed to score one more goal to advance to the next round, but the goal never came and the team was eliminated from the competition.
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Because of the chanting, FIFA launched an investigation into the Mexican Soccer Federation (FMF).
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Mexican Football Federation due to chants by Mexican supporters during the Saudi Arabia v. Mexico FIFA World Cup match played on 30 November,” according to a statement from the committee.
This latest development follows an earlier investigation launched by FIFA also against FMF after their 0-0 World Cup opener against Poland. The body had announced that they would look into reports of anti-gay chants by Mexico supporters, but there has been no resolution as yet to the earlier investigation.
Yon de Luisa blames referee for the chant
In a press conference held by Mexican Soccer Federation president Yon de Luisa, he claimed no responsibility for the actions of the Mexican public present at the Lusail Stadium, saying that the Federation has worked together with Concacaf and FIFA to eradicate this kind of chanting.
De Luisa even blamed the English referee, Anthony Taylor, for somehow ‘angering’ the fans by not admonishing the Saudi goalkeeper at the time. He said that if there had been a yellow card given against the goalkeeper yesterday, the chant would not have taken place.