Brazil, Mexico facing action over ‘homophobic’ football chants
By Josh Haggis
Brazil and Mexico could face disciplinary action over alleged homophobic chants from the stands during recent World Cup matches.
World Cup hosts Brazil were reported to football’s world governing body FIFA after fans allegedly chanted “puto” – which means “gay prostitute” in Spanish and Portuguese – at Mexico’s goal keeper Guillermo Ochoa during a match earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Mexico have also been reported after fans allegedly used the same insult during their opening match with Cameroon.
Both teams were reported to FIFA by the Fare network, which is charged with monitoring discriminatory behaviour at the World Cup.
“The levels of homophobic abuse at some matches is… totally unacceptable,” Piara Powar, executive director of Fare and a member of FIFA’s anti-racism task force, told The Telegraph.
“There is some rapid education required before it begins to run out of control. FIFA has some strong regulations in place and we hope they use them. Zero tolerance is the approach set out. It is what is required here.”
FIFA confirmed to The Telegraph that an investigation into the “improper conduct” of Mexico’s fans is already underway – but it is not yet known whether Brazil’s spectators are also being investigated.
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