March 3 – San Diego FC began life as a Major League Soccer (MLS) club on Saturday with a sold-out Snapdragon Stadium witnessing a 0-0 draw with St. Louis City SC. However, the celebration was marred by the homophobic chant that follows the Mexican National team around the world.
Three times in the second half the chant ‘Puto’ was heard throughout the stadium leading SDFC coach, Mikey Varas to open his post-game news conference with a statement that he delivered in both Spanish and English.
“The chant that was heard tonight is unacceptable,” Varas said. “It’s outside of our value system. It doesn’t represent the players, myself or the club, and it certainly doesn’t represent San Diego or Baja California. It’s not a reflection of who we are. We’re a community full of love, of support, and we believe in the power of diversity.”
Varas also added that the chant didn’t originate from San Diego’s main supporter section known as La Frontera.
“This came from more the general population in the seats, and it wasn’t everybody,” Varas said. “I understand that, but it was enough people, and I just want to make very clear that it has no place here. If they’re going to continue to come to the game and make that chant, it’s better that they don’t come here.”
With San Diego on the border of Mexico, it is no surprise that many Mexican and Mexican-Americans have decided to support the club, however, Tyler Heaps, the Sporting Director of the club, wants no part of the chant that has cost the Mexican National team thousands of dollars in fines, while having matches interrupted.
“It’s totally against our values as a club, but also who we are as people,” Heaps said.
“One of our core values is to be a good person, and I think that’s what we’ll continue to stand behind. It’s totally unacceptable, and obviously us as a club, we’ll make sure it does not continue into the future.”
With 13 World Cup matches scheduled for Mexico next summer, FIFA and MLS will have to decide where they stand on this issue.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1748968547labto1748968547ofdlr1748968547owedi1748968547sni@o1748968547fni1748968547