(Miami) The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Football (Concacaf) deplored on Monday the “persistence” of homophobic chants in stadiums, the day after incidents caused by Mexican supporters against players of the United States in the Nations League final.
“Concacaf condemns the discriminatory chants sung in the final minutes of the Nations League final”, won for the third consecutive time by the United States 2-0, the body wrote in a press release.
“It is extremely disappointing to note that this issue continues to be a problem at certain meetings, particularly at a time when the next two years (until the 2026 World Cup organized in the United States, Mexico and Canada) represent an incredible chance to advance our sport in the region,” continues Concacaf, recalling having launched an awareness campaign on this subject in 2021.
PHOTO JEROME MIRON, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
American goalkeeper Matt Turner
On Sunday evening, the referee twice interrupted the match played in Dallas between the United States and Mexico at the end of the match, after supporters launched homophobic insults when American goalkeeper Matt Turner cleared.
The Nations League semi-final between the two teams, in 2023 in Las Vegas, had already been interrupted because of this homophobic chant and the throwing of objects on the lawn.
This chant sung by Mexican fans has long been a problem for the Mexican Federation, fined numerous times for a total of $650,000 over the years.
FIFA even ordered Mexico to play two matches behind closed doors during the qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup because of this same homophobic refrain.