Mexican fans revive homophobic chant long sanctioned by FIFA at 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Mexican fans used a homophobic chant during Wednesday’s 2026 World Cup group game against Czechia, Mexico’s final group match, as they won 3-0. The chant, known as the 'grito', has been punished by FIFA for more than 10 years.

It was heard after a clearance by Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar late in the first half. The Court of Arbitration for Sport said in a statement that judges regarded such behaviour as collective and widespread, not an isolated incident.

The chant was also heard at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups, leading to multiple fines that had already run to several hundred thousand dollars by February 2022.

In early June, the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected another appeal by the Mexican federation, FMF, against FIFA’s sanctions.

The 'grito' is said to have originated in the early 2000s among El Atlas supporters during Guadalajara derbies with Chivas, the other team from Mexico’s second city. It remains embedded among some Mexican supporters despite efforts by the FMF to stamp it out.

Source: L'Équipe