March 26 – The Mexican football federation (FMF) stopped short of condemning its fans for their discriminatory ‘p***’ chant that rang out at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday at the USA vs Mexico Nations League final.
Instead the FMF posted on X saying: “…This defeat hurts a lot because we failed you,” going to say “Thank you for all your support.”
No mention or condemnation was made of the homophobic chant. The statement could almost be read as condoning the fan behaviour that FIFA sanctioned with a CHF 100,000 Swiss francs ($111,000) for offensive chants at two games in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Clearly the FMF, its new leadership and its fans are swimming against global opinion.
While privately Mexican officials have in the past tried to dismiss the chant as not having ‘real or meaningful’ homophobic intent, the fact that others find it deeply offensive and threatening makes it so.
The match was first delayed for close to five minutes in the 88th minute and again briefly in the 96th minute due to the chants. With the FIFA three-step anti-discrimination protocol having been put into play, the chanting was building again after the second chant with referee Hugh Fischer mercifully blowing the final whistle seconds before the chant could be completed and he would have had to abandon the final – the objective of the Mexican fans who have realised that the protocol and the chant can be weaponised.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino issued a statement on Instagram saying: “Discrimination, of any kind, has no place in football and no place in society. I call on the relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible are held to account for their actions.”
The statement raised a barrage of ridicule suggesting that surely he was that global authority.
Concacaf who have been battling discrimination issues with its ‘What is wrong is wrong’ campaign issued its own statement explaining that stadium security has tried to take action when the game was first suspended, and expressing frustration that this chant is still an issue with the World Cup coning in 2026.
“Security staff in the stadium identified and ejected a significant number of fans, and the referee and match officials activated the FIFA protocol,” said the statement.
“It is extremely disappointing that this matter continues to be an issue at some matches, particularly in the context of the next two years presenting such a tremendous opportunity to grow the sport in our region.
“We will continue to urge fans to support their teams positively and with respect for the opposition and all participants in the game.”
Mexico will host 13 games at the 2026 World Cup.
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