The United States’ victory over Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League final was marred by homophobic chanting and brutal fighting between fans in the stands.
In the closing moments of the USMNT’s 2-0 victory at AT&T Stadium on Sunday night, a fan wearing American colors was seen dancing in an area full of Mexican supporters.
One of them threw a cheap shot at him from behind, which led to a ferocious punch, with several more fans involved in the violence. Supporters in Mexican jerseys were soon fighting each other.
Fans struggled between rows of seats as drinks were flung from elsewhere in the stadium.
The area around the fighting began to brighten up as supporters sought safety, while about half a dozen supporters continued to exchange brutal punches and fall over seats.
A brutal fight involving fans from the US and Mexico broke out in the stands of AT&T Stadium
Supporters in Mexican jerseys were soon fighting with each other on Sunday
One fan, dressed in USMNT colors, was seen tumbling from several rows of seats
More fans continued to arrive to join in the violence, while many others gathered to film the fight on their phones.
A few security personnel arrived and tried in vain to stop the fighting until the supporter wearing the USMNT colors was sent down from several rows of seats.
That caused wild cheers from the Mexican fans and allowed security to intervene. One supporter, who was topless and drenched in drinks, stretched out his arms to take in the cheers.
The fan who had been thrown from the stands got back up and started shouting at the people around him again. ‘Undefeated!’ an onlooker was heard shouting as security led some of those involved away and the drinks continued to rain.
Down on the pitch, the match was stopped twice by the referee after USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner was the subject of homophobic chants.
Fans were heard shouting “puto” – a slur that means male prostitute but roughly translates as “f*****” in Mexican Spanish. It is often used to criticize someone’s masculinity.
The fans could be heard shouting it repeatedly as Turner took goal kicks at AT&T Stadium. After numerous calls rang out over the stadium speakers, referee Drew Fischer paused the game for nearly five minutes.
Many Mexican fans then poured out of the stadium before play resumed. Unfortunately, however, the chanting continued and the referee had to stop the match for a second time just before the start of the match.