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Football: Mexico hit with FIFA fan ban at two home World Cup qualifiers

United States' Christian Pulisic (10) scores a penalty kick goal against Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa (131 in extra time at the CONCACAF Nations League championship soccer match, Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

19 Jun 2021 02:10AM (Updated: 19 Jun 2021 02:24AM)

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REUTERS: Mexican fans will be barred from the stadium for their country's first two home 2022 World Cup qualifiers after making homophobic chants during two Olympic qualifying games in March, FIFA said in a statement on Friday (Jun 18).

FIFA's Disciplinary Committee also fined Mexico's Football Federation (FMF) 60,000 Swiss francs (US$65,118.30) for chants from fans during games against the Dominican Republic on Mar 18 and the United States on Mar 24.

The committee has also launched a separate investigation against the FMF in relation to homophobic chants by Mexican fans during a friendly against Iceland in Arlington, Texas, on May 29.

Mexico's games against Jamaica on Sep 2 and Canada on Oct 7 in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying will be played in empty stadiums as a result of the sanctions.

Source: Reuters