Mexico fan chant at World Cup subject of FIFA investigation

DOHA, Qatar — FIFA opened an investigation on Wednesday into doubtlessly discriminatory chants heard from Mexico supporters throughout their World Cup-opening 0-0 draw towards Poland.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Mexican Football Association due to chants by Mexican supporters during the Mexico v. Poland FIFA World Cup match played on 22 November. The proceedings were opened on the basis of article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” learn a press release from the governing physique on Wednesday.

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The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has beforehand been sanctioned by FIFA because of a recurring anti-gay goalkeeper chant that has been heard at El Tri matches, which have often been paused because of a three-step process put in place to halt the offensive shouts.

Last yr, FIFA decreased a Mexico punishment for discriminatory fan chants from two World Cup qualifying matches to 1 after the FMF promised to execute an academic and enforcement marketing campaign for matches at dwelling and within the US, and mentioned five-year bans from stadiums can be given to followers discovered doing the chant.

It is unclear from the assertion whether or not the newest FIFA present continuing is as a result of anti-gay chant or different habits from Mexico supporters.

On Tuesday, FIFA introduced that the Ecuadorian Football Association was additionally beneath investigation for “chants by Ecuadorian supporters during the Qatar v. Ecuador FIFA World Cup match played on 20 November.” The opening match of the World Cup noticed Ecuador beat hosts Qatar 2-0.

FIFA gave no timetable for coping with the instances towards the Mexican and Ecuadorian federations, who’re chargeable for fan habits at video games, and had not mentioned what the potential punishments may very well be.