Here, a Mexico fan can be seen heckling USA fans attending the World Cup Qualifier match against Mexico at Azteca Stadium.
Photo by: Douglas Zimmerman
SANTA MONICA – Just before the Confederations Cup, FIFA announced their plan to implement harsher measures to ensure fans behave and don’t engage in any inappropriate behavior. Since then, an official warning has been given to Mexico directly following their game on Sunday.
At their opening match of the Confederations Cup, where Mexico had an outstanding performance and tied Portugal, 2-2, homophobic slurs were chanted by a group of Mexico’s fans. According to ESPN FC, FIFA’s disciplinary committee chairman, “decided to impose a warning on the Mexican Football Federation for the misconduct of a small group of Mexican fans in relation to insulting and discriminatory chants.” If the discriminatory chants continue, FIFA has said that more action may be taken.
This incident is not the first time Mexico has gotten into trouble over fan behavior. The Mexican Federation even went so far as to sponsor a campaign last year calling for fans to avoid any discriminatory behavior. However, the derogatory chanting has continued, and just last November during the stretch of World Cup Qualifiers, Mexico was fined for derogatory language being used by fans.
Next, Mexico will take on New Zealand on Wednesday at 11:00 AM Pacific Time.
Photo by ISI.
