The Mexican National Team could watch their streak of consecutive FIFA World Cup appearances coming to an end if their fans cannot learn how to behave themselves, since a homophobic chant aimed at the goalkeeper when he kicks off could see El Tri being eliminated from the CONCACAF FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in 2022 and stripped from the right to host the next edition.
The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) had been fined over 15 times due to the homophobic chant, but this time, FIFA decided to go a step further with their sanction. Football's governing body decided to fine Mexico for over $65,000, while also forcing El Tri to play their next two games of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers behind closed doors.
"The reason behind this decision comes after the homophobic slurs by Mexican fans during the Olympic Qualifying matches against the Dominican Republic and the USMNT played on March 18 and March 24, respectively," the press release states.
While a more decisive sanction is not mentioned in the document, FIFA have proceeded in a similar manner with other national teams who have yelled racial or homophobic slurs in international games. The next steps for a harsh sanction against Mexico would include losing three points in their next FIFA World Cup Qualifying match with an audience, and being banned completely from playing the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
But the main sanction for the FMF would see them being stripped from the right to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup along with the United States and Canada, a possibility that has grown after each time FIFA has been forced to ban the Mexican Federation.
The Mexican Football Federation has already reacted to this sanction via its presiden, Yon de Luisa, who urged fans and media outlets to end this behavior and stop jeopardizing the chance to become a host nation for the competition.
"We have to think about a way to change this. We've come a long way with the help of our friends in the media, CONCACAF, our clubs, and our fans. What happened in Atlanta is a great example of what we can do. Even so, we need to stop this now. The effect of this sanction could be devastating to the industry of Mexican football. We have to work to make this the first and last warning by FIFA on this matter," De Luisa stated.
Mexico's first two games in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers will be played against Jamaica and Canada in September.
