Mexican Fans' Homophobic Chants Mar 2026 World Cup Matches
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mexican fans repeatedly directed homophobic "puto" chants at opposing goalkeepers, including England's Jordan Pickford and Czechia's Matej Kovar. Despite FIFA fines exceeding £1 million and campaigns like "Wave, Don't Hurl," the chant persists. LGBTQ+ fan groups condemned the behavior and criticized FIFA for weakening anti-discrimination messaging. Mexico advanced to the Round of 16 and knockout stage, but the incidents sparked renewed controversy over fan conduct and FIFA's enforcement.
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Jordan Pickford Targeted by Homophobic Slurs from Mexican Fans; Fan Groups Condemn Abuse
During England's 3-2 World Cup knockout victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was repeatedly subjected to homophobic chants of 'puto' from Mexican fans. The term, classified as a homophobic slur by Mexico's anti-discrimination commission CONAPRED, has led to FIFA fining the Mexican Football Federation over £1 million cumulatively. English fan organizations Three Lions Pride and Pride In Football issued a statement condemning the chants as homophobia, not tradition, and criticized FIFA for weakening anti-discrimination messaging. They called for more effective campaigns and stricter penalties. This was the third such incident during the 2026 World Cup involving Mexican fans. Pickford, married with three children, appeared unaffected and helped England advance. England will next face Argentina or Switzerland in the semifinals if they win again.
虎扑 - 足球Anti-discrimination reports sent to FIFA over Mexico games
Anti-discrimination reports have been sent to FIFA concerning Mexico's national team matches. The country has faced previous scrutiny due to a persistent anti-gay chant from its fans during games. The reports were filed on July 10, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to address discriminatory behavior in football. The source is Politico, a politics-focused media outlet, indicating the issue may have broader political implications beyond sports. The specific details of the reports, including who sent them and the exact nature of the incidents, are not provided in the summary, but the core event involves formal complaints to football's governing body over fan conduct.
PoliticsAnti-discrimination reports sent to FIFA over Mexico games
Anti-discrimination reports have been sent to FIFA concerning Mexico's national team matches. The country has faced previous scrutiny due to a persistent anti-gay chant from its fans during games. The reports were filed by anti-discrimination groups, urging FIFA to take action against the discriminatory behavior. This follows a history of similar incidents where Mexican fans have used the chant, leading to fines and warnings from FIFA. The latest reports aim to pressure the governing body to enforce stricter penalties and ensure a more inclusive environment at football matches involving Mexico.
PoliticsFootball Pride Groups Condemn Homophobic Chanting at Mexico vs. England World Cup Match
3 Lions Pride and Pride in Football issued a joint statement expressing disappointment over widespread homophobic chanting directed at England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during the Mexico vs. England match at the Azteca Stadium. The groups condemned the 'puto' chant as homophobic, rejecting claims it is banter or tradition. They noted this is the third occurrence of such chanting by El Tri fans during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following incidents against Czechia and Ecuador. The statement criticized FIFA for weakening anti-discrimination messaging before and during the tournament, arguing this has had a noticeable impact. The organizations called on the Mexican Football Federation and FIFA to implement more effective anti-discrimination messaging and education programs, and to impose stronger punishments if the chanting continues.
The back page of the internet.Mexican Fans Direct Homophobic Abuse at England Goalkeeper Pickford During World Cup Match
During a 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match at Mexico's Azteca Stadium, Mexican fans directed homophobic chants at England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as he prepared to take a goal kick. The crowd shouted the slur 'puto,' which carries explicit homophobic connotations in Mexico. This incident follows a pattern of similar behavior; during the group stage, Mexican fans targeted the Czech goalkeeper. Mexico has a history of FIFA penalties for such conduct, including fines of 10,000 Swiss francs in 2018 and 100,000 Swiss francs in 2022. In a 2024 friendly against Brazil, Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson was also targeted, leading to a match interruption. To address the issue ahead of the home-hosted World Cup, the Mexican Football Federation launched a campaign in May called 'Wave, Don't Hurl,' featuring legend Hugo Sánchez, encouraging fans to perform the Mexican wave instead of discriminatory chants.
虎扑 - 足球Mexican fans chant homophobic song again during 2026 World Cup match
During a 2026 World Cup group stage match between Mexico and the Czech Republic, Mexican supporters revived the homophobic 'grito' chant, directed at Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar during a goal kick. The chant, which first appeared in the early 2000s among Atlas fans in Guadalajara, has been repeatedly sanctioned by FIFA, costing the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) multiple fines and hundreds of thousands of dollars. In June, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected a FMF appeal against FIFA sanctions, ruling that the fan behavior was collective and widespread, not isolated. Despite efforts by the FMF to silence it, the chant remains culturally embedded among some Mexican fans, having resurfaced at the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups as well.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continu2026 World Cup: Homophobic Chant by Mexican Fans Sparks New Controversy
A homophobic chant known as 'El Grito' or 'Eeeeh Puto' by Mexican supporters has sparked renewed controversy during the 2026 World Cup. Despite FIFA sanctions and repeated actions by the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), including fines, campaigns, and player appeals, fans continue the chant during opposing goalkeepers' clearances. The chant was heard in Mexico's group stage matches against South Africa, South Korea, and the Czech Republic. FIFA has fined Mexico multiple times since 2014, but fans defend the chant as part of stadium folklore. The article traces the chant's origins to American football in Monterrey in the 1980s and its entry into soccer in 2000. Mexico has performed flawlessly on the field, winning all three group matches and advancing to the Round of 16.
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