Mexico challenges FIFA fines for homophobic chants by fans at World Cup qualifiers
The national Mexican football governing body is challenging fines levied by FIFA after its fans chanted anti-gay slurs during World Cup qualifying matches.
The Mexico Football Federation (FMF) gave evidence at the highest court in sport, the Court of Arbitration against the fines.
The fines were imposed totalling 85,000 Swiss francs following five World Cup qualifying matches since November 2015.
‘Puto’ was chanted by fans at the matches while opposition goalkeepers were taking goal kicks
Mexico was not the only team to be fined for the offence, as other teams’ fans also made similar chants which are heard across Latin American football.
FIFA in December issued bigger fines to England’s football association for wearing poppies than it has to countries whose fans chanted homophobic abuse.
The country’s fans frequently scream the anti-gay slur “puto”, a derogatory word for a male prostitute or gay man.
Chile was in December given yet another stadium ban by FIFA after their fans failed to stop using homophobic chants at matches.
