US Soccer could BAN Mexico from playing stateside for two years if homophobic chants are heard

A rule passed by the U.S. Soccer Federation means that the Mexican national team will not be allowed to play international games in the United States for two years if “discriminatory chants” are heard.

With the U.S. men’s national team and Mexico set to play in the “Continental Clásico” — a new event to be played in Glendale on Wednesday — fears of homophobic chanting could lead to harsh penalties for the Mexican Football Federation (FMF).

Under a policy passed last May by US Soccer’s board of directors, if fans of teams from outside the United States engage in “discriminatory chanting” during a game in the US, “that team will not be allowed to play an international game.” in the United States for a period of two years.”

To ensure every action is taken, the policy also mandates a “bond” posted by promoters, according to the SB Nation site Out Sports. If promoters fail to take appropriate action, the USSF will consider said bond as damages and use it to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and inclusion initiatives.

Mexico fans have routinely used homophobic chants – most notably a chant containing the word ‘puto’, an anti-gay slur in Spanish – during matches and the FMF has received heavy penalties as a result.

Mexico fans have seen the FMF fined and banned for using homophobic slurs

FIFA has penalized the FMF several times in the past for using the chant by fans – including in 2017 when the federation was fined.

The world governing body for football also imposed sanctions against the FMF – first applied in Liga MX matches in 2019.

In 2021, multiple Mexican international matches played in the US were halted due to the use of the chanting and other bad behavior from fans – including fans hitting Gio Reyna in the face with a heavy object during the 2021 CONCACAF Nation’s League Final.

During a pre-Olympic tournament, the chant was used and FIFA punished Mexico by banning fans from the country’s first two World Cup qualifiers.

That punishment also resulted in a $73,000 fine and led to FMF President Yon de Luisa begging fans to exercise restraint.

“What seemed fun to some, I have news for you. It’s not,” de Luisa said at a press conference following the release of the sentence. “It keeps us out of the stadium and keeps us away from our national team. Please stop. Stop now.’

This policy does not necessarily apply to only matches played against the United States – something gripping for Mexico to understand.

FIFA has punished Mexican fans for bad behavior in the past, including during the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup where fans used the slur and hit Gio Reyna in the head with objects thrown from the stands

Mexico has played 21 friendlies in the United States since the 2018 World Cup, including 7 in 2022

Since the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Mexico men’s national team has played 21 friendlies in the United States, only two of which have been against the USMNT. In 2022, seven friendlies were played in the United States.

It is a way for the FMF to connect with the Mexican population living in the United States. More than 10 million Mexican-born people live in the US, and more than 37 million Americans identify as Mexican American based on their ancestry.

These friendlies are an easy way for those fans to keep in touch with their home country – something they would lose if those chants were used during this upcoming game.

Under FIFA’s Discriminatory Swearing Policy, there is a three-step process, which includes pausing play and eventually abandoning the match.