(Headline USA) The United States men’s match against Mexico was cut short Thursday night by the referee after the stadium erupted into echoes of a ‘homophobic’ chant from Mexican soccer fans, who for years have directed the chant at opposing teams’ goalkeepers.
The controversial Mexican tradition involves the Mexican crowd chanting a Spanish word. The word translates to “gay prostitute,” and is directed at the opposing team’s goalie, according to Sporting News.
Officials have been trying to cancel the tradition for years, with fines, banishment from stadiums, and now early finishes.
Play was halted because of the deafening noise in the 90th minute at Allegiant Stadium with the U.S. up three goals.
When action resumed, 12 minutes of stoppage time were signaled but the persistent chanting motivated Salvadoran referee Iván Barton to end the match in the eighth added minute.
FIFA fined Mexico 100,000 Swiss francs ($108,000) in January for anti-gay chants by fans at two games.
That came after the sport’s governing body banned fans from two of Mexico’s games in 2021 after the chants broke out at an Olympic qualifying tournament.
FIFA also fined Mexico 60,000 Swiss francs ($65,000) in 2021 for the chants.
Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press
