Mexican football association fined for a THIRD TIME over homophobic slurs
The use of a homophobic slur by Mexican football fans could mean the national team will have to play to an empty stadium during World Cup Qualifiers.
The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has been hit with a $30,000 fine for failing to deal with the problem of the homophobic slur, often used to attempt to distract opponent goalkeepers.
It is the third time the FMF has faced such action, and could lead to the Mexican national team being handed an empty-stadium ban, for upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.
FIFA took action against eleven football associations for discrimnatory conduct by their fans.
Honduras, El Salvador, Canada, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Peru, Italy and Albania all also received fines.
Mexico faced threats of losing points in 2014 after the same slur ‘puto’, used as a derogatory term for a gay man, was used during a game against Cameroon.
But the FMF said it would deal with the problem itself.
Apparently not, however, as it has already been warned previously in 2016, before this latest fine.
Out football star Robbie Rogers recently claimed: “FIFA is corrupt… it’s run by racist, sexist homophobic dudes, who are in charge and put their buddies in charge.”
LGBT rights groups previously flagged “deep concern” with FIFA’s decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar.
FIFA in 2013 announced its intention to put pressure on Qatar to relax its anti-gay legislation ahead of hosting the 2022 event.
The head of the women’s England football team Casey Stoney said she would not attend Qatar because gay people are not welcome there.
