June 16 – Concacaf have wasted no time issuing a statement “strongly condemning” the discriminatory chanting by Mexican fans in the CNL semi-final against the United States.
The confederation said it was “in the process of urgently establishing further details and reports from security and match officials and will make a further statement in short order.”
Mexico can expect significant sanctions for infractions that their fans refuse to stop repeating. They have been sanctioned several times by FIFA, including at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
In a fractious encounter that saw player tempers reach boiling point as the match progressed, and four players sent off, the Mexican fans got in on the act with their ‘puto’ chant that led to the activation of the first step of the anti-discrimination protocol by the match officials.
The second and third step in the protocol of abandoning the match would have been inevitably as rather than moderate their behaviour, the chants were only gathered momentum. If the game couldn’t be won then at least be suspended was the thought rippling round a near sold-out Alllegiant Stadium.
The game was saved by the early ending of the 12 minutes of extra time match as fans vented their fury at being well beaten by their arch rivals.
Concacaf said that “security staff ejected several fans for engaging in unacceptable behavior in the stadium.
“These incidents were extremely disappointing and tarnished what should have been a positive occasion to showcase high-quality football in our region.”
The US beat the Mexicans 3-0 and progress to the Nations League final where they will meet Canada. Mexico will contest the third placed play-off against Panama.
The Nations League begins a month of international football in the region with the Gold Cup kicking off on June 24. Mexico are in action on June 25 in Houston. With the Mexican team not performing to the expectations of their fans, the season of anti-discriminatory chants looks to be far from over.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714375036labto1714375036ofdlr1714375036owedi1714375036sni@n1714375036osloh1714375036cin.l1714375036uap1714375036