U.S.-Mexico football game in Las Vegas ends early due to anti-gay chants
The U.S. men's soccer team's match against Mexico was halted by referees Thursday after Mexican fans sang homophobic chants at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
In the 89th minute of the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals, with the United States leading 3-0, referee Ivan Barton stopped the game.
But after a 12-minute break - with a message on the scoreboard calling for an end to the chant - play continued against U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner. At this point, with four minutes left before the end of stoppage time, referee Ivan Barton finally decided the outcome of the game.
The tirade, which usually occurs when the opposing team's goalkeeper takes a goal kick, has been a troubling tradition among Mexican fans for years. Those actions resulted in fines being imposed on the Mexican Football Federation, including more than $100,000 following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Fans have been ejected from stadiums for chanting - including several on Thursday night. Many Mexican players also posted videos calling on them to stop chanting. But nothing works.
It remains to be seen whether the early finish will dampen the cheers, but most are not optimistic as stadiums in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey prepare to host World Cup matches over the next three years.
"Concacaf strongly condemns the discriminatory chanting by some fans during the CNL semi-final Mexico vs. United States match," the organization said in a statement on Friday. "These incidents are extremely disappointing and devastating. Positive reasons to present high quality football in our region.”
In April this year, the U.S. Soccer Federation also announced its own policy against discriminatory slogans, stipulating that if the slogan is heard, the team will be banned from participating in international competitions in the United States for two years. A second violation will trigger a five-year ban and the possibility of a third draw. Resulting in a permanent ban.
The game had already descended into chaos before play was suspended, with Americans Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest and Mexico's Cesar Montes and Gerardo Arteaga suspended for fighting. Button was sent off.
CONCACAF said it would investigate the chants.
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