[Saba Sports News] According to US media reports, homophobic chants have resurfaced at Mexican stadiums. After months of sporadic appearances at local matches across Mexico, one homophobic slogan has made a strong comeback in recent weeks, which may foreshadow what will happen during the 2026 World Cup. For two decades, this insulting term has been an unwelcome feature of matches involving Mexico and its passionate fans, drawing widespread condemnation and sanctions. During the World Cup, FIFA is likely to impose penalties, which would be embarrassing for Mexico, one of the co-hosts. FIFA has partnered with the Fare network to send observers to all World Cup matches to monitor discriminatory behaviour in chants and banners across all countries and cultures.
The editor believes that despite decades of measures taken by football authorities, including heavy fines, stadium closures, points deductions, match suspensions, and bans on offending fans and players, racial discrimination has proven difficult to eradicate. European and Latin American countries have been fined on multiple occasions, and Mexico is currently appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against a FIFA penalty imposed over its match against the United States in 2024.