Grito puts Mexico in FIFA investigation

The homophobic shout and other discriminatory variants appeared in the stands of the Mexico match against Poland at stadium 974. FIFA warned the Mexican Soccer Federation that it is opening an investigation file, however it did not clarify precisely what it heard and does inside of Qatar, headquarters where human rights groups have pointed out cases of abuse and corruption throughout the organization of the event.

In Mexico, everything was done to change the fans’ chip after the constant fines that Femexfut was adding, even, in 2021, it changed the name of two Liga MX tournaments and titled them: Grito México A21 (from July to December). and Grito México C22 (from January to May). The proof is that today, in Qatar, there was no remedy to eliminate it. At the time of that campaign, which included the support of the National Commission to Prevent Discrimination (Conapred), the cry had cost more than 11 million pesos and 16 sanctions to the FMF against FIFA.

Among the consequences, the sanction stipulated in article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, may be one more fine, deduction of points, defeat by withdrawal or resignation or exclusion from a competition.

“Except in exceptional circumstances, if the referee decrees the final suspension of the match for racist and/or discriminatory conduct, the defeat will be declared by resignation or withdrawal,” reports the FIFA regulations.

Mexico is not the only case, Ecuador is also under investigation, as it is reported that discriminatory chants were heard in the match against Qatar. FIFA did not give a date to give a resolution on the case against the Ecuadorian Soccer Federation. Fans from that country also chanted “We want beer” at the Al-Bayt Stadium. This was in reference to the ban on the sale of alcohol in stadiums by the organizers of Qatar and FIFA. The American company Budweiser will claim 45.5 million euros in compensation from the international organization.

deportes@eleconomista.mx