In a significant development just days before the World Cup opening in Mexico City, the Mexican football federation lost its latest appeal against FIFA punishments. The penalties were imposed due to fans chanting an anti-gay slur at opponents' players.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) recent ruling marks another chapter in a series of appeal cases between Mexico and FIFA spanning over ten years. This decision comes as the men's national team prepares to host South Africa on June 11 at the iconic Azteca Stadium, where this offensive chant is frequently heard.
Court of Arbitration for Sport released statement:
"They (the judges) observed that the conduct of the fans was collective and widespread, and not merely a one-off occurrence,"
The chant, which translates into English as a derogatory term for male prostitutes, typically arises when the opposing goalkeeper is taking a goal kick. It gained global attention during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and was echoed again in subsequent editions held in Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022). Despite efforts by the federation through requests and educational programs aimed at curbing this behavior, Mexican fans have continued to defy these measures.
Recent incidents prompting action
FIFA initiated prosecutions following incidents at games held in 2024 against Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil, and the United States where this offensive chant was reported by anti-discrimination monitors. These monitors will also be present during all 104 games of the upcoming World Cup hosted by Mexico alongside U.S. and Canada. CAS upheld fines totaling 140,000 Swiss francs ($178,000) imposed by FIFA on Mexican football body but lifted sanctions related to closing parts of stadiums during FIFA-organized matches such as those within World Cup tournaments.
During hearings held in Miami last March, CAS judges considered mitigation presented by Mexican federation stating that they had implemented measures since 2015 aimed at educating fans about preventing such chants from occurring and eradicating them altogether. Despite acknowledging the "unique nature" of the challenge faced by Mexican soccer officials, CAS ruled that the federation should not be exempt from liability.
Mexico is set to host World Cup group-stage games against South Korea in Guadalajara and the Czech Republic at Azteca Stadium. The recent ruling underscores FIFA's commitment to ensuring a respectful environment during these matches, free from discriminatory behavior. This latest development serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against discrimination within sports. It emphasizes that while education and prevention measures are crucial, they must be accompanied by strict enforcement of penalties for non-compliance to truly effect change.
