Mexico fined £7,600 for homophobic chant aimed at Germany's Manuel Neuer
The Mexico Football Federation (FMF) has been fined after their supporters were found guilty of making “discriminatory and insulting chants” during their 1-0 World Cup win over Germany on Sunday.
The fine of 10,000 Swiss francs (£7,600) was administered by Fifa’s disciplinary committee on Wednesday after supporters shouted the word ‘puto’ at Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
The word is homophobic slang in Mexico for a male sex worker. Mexican supporters were condemned for chanting the word at the last World Cup in 2014 but, at the time, Fifa took no disciplinary action.
The world football governing body has since sought to clamp down on offensive chanting and has warned Mexico that repeat offences may result in further punishment.
A Fifa statement on Wednesday read: “The decision was passed after a thorough assessment of the relevant match reports, the FMF’s precedents and the evidence provided, which included videos of the incidents as well as examples of certain sustainable actions taken by the FMF to raise awareness among its supporters.
“The disciplinary committee gave a warning to the FMF, who may face additional sanctions in case of repeated infringements of this type.”
Javier Hernandez, the Mexico striker, has asked supporters to refrain from using the chant again. “To all Mexican fans in the stadiums, don’t shout puto,” he wrote on Instagram after the Germany victory. “Let’s not risk another sanction.”
The Serbian Football Association was also fined 10,000 Swiss francs over the appearance of an “offensive and political banner” during the team’s opening win over Costa Rica.
