FIFA has announced it will fine the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) 100,000 Swiss francs ($109,000) after anti-gay chants were heard from fans during Mexico’s May 29 match against Iceland in Arlington, Texas.
A spokesperson for FIFA confirmed to ESPN Mexico that this latest round of punishment would not include other sanctions such as banning fans from its matches.
In June, Mexico was ordered to play its next two official home games behind closed doors, after the presence of the anti-gay chant throughout the CONCACAF pre-Olympic qualifying tournament in Guadalajara, Jalisco, last April.
“The chant is discriminatory and is moving us away from FIFA competitions,” Mexican federation president Yon de Luisa said in response to the match ban during a news conference in June. “To those who think it’s fun to [do it], I have news for you. It’s not.”
read alsoMexico striker Raul Jimenez returns after fractured skull
The Mexican federation has been hit with 16 fines for the chant since 2015, paying just over $336,000 since the first instance. During the match on May 29, FIFA’s three-step protocol against discrimination was put into action after fans repeatedly directed the anti-gay slur at Iceland goalkeeper Runar Runarsson after goal kicks.
