06/24/26 10:04:00
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06/24 22:02 CDT Homophobic chant returns in Mexico's World Cup match against
the Czech Republic
Homophobic chant returns in Mexico's World Cup match against the Czech Republic
MEXICO CITY (AP) --- Fans at Mexico's final World Cup group stage match on
Wednesday chanted a slur that has previously led to fines and other sanctions
against the country's soccer federation.
The slur, which literally means male prostitute in Spanish, could be heard at
the Azteca stadium toward the end of the first half when Czech goalkeeper Matej
Kovar took a goal kick.
The chant has cost Mexico hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines levied by
FIFA. It rose to popularity roughly 25 years ago and is used to intimidate
goalkeepers when they take goal kicks.
It went viral in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and was heard again in Russia
during the 2018 World Cup and four years later in Qatar. It has persisted
despite attempts by the Mexican soccer federation to stop it.
Mexico had already advanced to the knockout phase as Group A winners ahead of
the match against the Czech Republic.
___ AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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