The Mexican soccer federation and regional governing physique CONCACAF are making efforts to eradicate a homophobic chant utilized by a section of Mexican soccer followers, however the chant has resurfaced throughout the 2021 Gold Cup.

The referee twice stopped the Group A match between Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago due to the homophobic chant. Stopping a match is a part of a three-step protocol established by FIFA in 2019 to handle homophobic and racist conduct by crowds at matches worldwide.

What’s the homophobic chant?

The apply is believed to have began within the early 2000s. Mexican nationwide staff supporters shout a Spanish-language homophobic slur (“p—,” which roughly interprets to “homosexual prostitute”) when an opposing goalkeeper places the ball into play on a aim kick. The mantra was supposedly meant to intimidate the ‘keeper and the opposing staff, however the sport’s authorities have been working for a number of years to stamp out its use.

MORE: Mexico soccer officers worry worse punishment in future

The mantra gained worldwide notoriety throughout the 2014 World Cup, and though condemnation of the mantra grew wider, it returned 4 years later on the 2018 World Cup throughout Mexico’s victory over Germany. Mexico’s soccer federation has been fined on a number of events by FIFA — greater than 15 instances over time, by one depend — and the punishments are solely escalating. FIFA’s newest sanction final June included ordering two official dwelling matches to be performed behind closed doorways.

Mexican soccer officers, who’re utilizing each alternative and means to attraction to followers to chorus from utilizing the mantra, worry that future self-discipline may embrace a factors deduction and even expulsion from official competitions.

The efforts to alter fan conduct have elevated in latest months with advertising campaigns, press convention appeals, video spots, stadium signage and messages from gamers broadcast on TV, performed on stadium video boards and delivered stay earlier than kickoff.

Though progress has been made — Mexico performed three matches earlier than the Gold Cup with out incident — the mantra has nonetheless reared its head now and again, together with most not too long ago on the Gold Cup.

“It worries everybody, in fact it should fear us,” Mexico supervisor Tata Martino mentioned July 13 when requested whether or not he’s involved concerning the chant and its penalties. “I feel it is not possible to have extra messages and campaigns than what the [Mexican] federation has already carried out. Now it is on the folks [fans]. The request for this to not occur once more will proceed, however the ball is unquestionably in another person’s courtroom.”

The three-step protocol

CONCACAF, the organizer of the Gold Cup, launched a marketing campaign in opposition to the mantra and has adopted FIFA’s three-step protocol for coping with it throughout matches. Along with ejecting followers from the stadium, the steps embrace:

• Step 1: Match stoppage and warning to followers
• Step 2: Match suspension and gamers moved to locker room
• Step 3: Abandonment of the match

Mexico’s opening match within the Gold Cup required the referee to implement Step 1 of the protocol after the mantra was heard amongst followers towards the top of the sport.

Within the wake of that incident, CONCACAF issued a direct and pointed public assertion expressing its disappointment in followers who used the homophobic slur within the face of each attraction made in opposition to it.