November 02, (THEWILL) – For the continued use of a homophobic slogan by fans, FIFA has sanctioned Mexico to play its next two World Cup qualifying home games behind closed doors. El Tri has also been fined 100,000 Swiss francs ($109,771).
Mexico’s next three World Cup qualifying matches will be played away from home, on November 12 (against the USMNT), November 16 (versus Canada), and January 27 (against Jamaica). El Tri will not play at home again until January 30 against Costa Rica, then on February 2 against Panama.
THEWILL recalls that in June, FIFA sanctioned the Mexican national team for two games after fans used the homophobic slur during a CONCACAF Olympic qualification match earlier this year.
After the sentence was decreased, Mexico only had to play one World Cup qualifying game in an empty stadium, against Jamaica on September 2.
Fans will be permitted to see the team’s next World Cup qualifying encounter against Canada on October 7.
The slurs in question were chanted during Olympic qualifying matches against the United States and the Dominican Republic in March.
The president of the Mexican soccer federation, Yon de Luisa, claimed at the time of FIFA’s initial sanction that the chant could jeopardise Mexico’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“How can we host a World Cup if we are going to have our stadiums empty?” he queried then, adding that if fans do not stop, the ramifications for Mexican football might be disastrous.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
