Guadalajara, a city renowned for tequila and Mariachi, is also the birthplace of a controversial soccer chant that has plagued Mexico with heavy fines. Despite numerous sanctions from FIFA and educational campaigns, this homophobic chant (a one-word slur that translates to "male prostitute") continues to echo through stadiums, notably at matches involving Mexico and its North American rival, the United States. The chant reemerged during a CONCACAF Nations League final in Texas, leading to multiple stoppages.
Local fans in Guadalajara claim the chant is meant in jest, asserting it is all in good fun. "People who yell it mean no offense to the rival," said Luis Gallardo, a Mexico-supporting fan. Yet the persistent use of this slur by soccer crowds poses a significant challenge for the Mexican soccer federation, which has incurred substantial fines from FIFA. In 2022, they imposed five-year stadium bans on fans who shout the slur, recognizing the importance of how the chant is perceived globally.
Opinions among fans are divided, with some baffled by the accusations of the chant's homophobia, while LGBTQ+ activist Andoni Bello emphasizes the need to eradicate it by the 2026 World Cup. "It's clearly homophobic because you are degrading a person with an insult of sexual and negative connotation," Bello stated. He calls for active engagement with the LGBTQ+ community to transform Mexico's stadium culture. With Guadalajara set to host key World Cup games, the spotlight is intensifying on the nation's ability to curtail this long-standing issue. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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