Anti-gay Chants Force Early End to US vs. Mexico Soccer Match Nick Robertson - The Hill
go to original June 16, 2023

Folarin Balogun of the United States (20) battles for the ball with Cesar Montes of Mexico during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal soccer match Thursday, June 15, 2023, in Las Vegas.  (John Locher/AP)

Update: Mexico Fires Head Coach Diego Cocca After Just Four Months in Charge (Daily Mail)

A soccer match between the U.S. men’s national team and Mexico was halted early Thursday night because of a homophobic chant from the crowd.

The raucous match saw the U.S. rout Mexico 3-0 in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The match was halted in the 98th minute, four minutes before the end of the 12 minutes of stoppage time. CONCACAF is the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football.

“Concacaf strongly condemns the discriminatory chanting by some fans during the CNL Semifinal match between Mexico and the United States,” the organization said in a statement Friday.

“Chants heard during the game led to the activation of the anti-discrimination protocol by the match officials. Additionally, security staff ejected several fans for engaging in unacceptable behavior in the stadium,” they added.

The anti-gay chant  has been routinely used by Mexican fans at international and national games, despite efforts by soccer authorities to stamp it out.

The crowd made homophobic chants earlier in the match while U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner lined up for a goal kick. In the 90th minute, referee Ivan Barton briefly paused the game over the chants, and the crowd was asked to stop chanting over the PA system.

When the crowd chanted again during Turner’s next goal kick in extra time, Barton called the match early.

Read the rest at The Hill

Related: Mexico Facing Possible Sanctions Over Homophobic Chant in US Defeat (AFP)

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