Azteca Stadium is again in spotlight as fans hurled homophobic chants at Czech Republic's goalkeeper in a match against Mexico
The chant has cost Mexico hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines levied by FIFA
The chants were heard when Czech Republic's goalkeeper was taking a goal kick just before halftime
Mexico Vs Czechia, FIFA World Cup 2026: Fresh Controversy Erupts As Homophobic Chants Return At Estadio Azteca
The incident on the brink of halftime, when the Czech goalkeeper was taking a goal kick, and homophobic chants could be heard around the stadium, was intended to intimidate the player
Summary
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
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