Mexico's match against Iceland at AT&T Stadium in Arlington is currently being investigated by FIFA for instances of a homophobic chant, Federación Mexicana de Fútbol President Yon de Luisa confirmed Friday.
Mexico already is facing a sanction for the homophobic chant, yelled at the opposing goalkeeper during goal kicks, after it was heard in a pair of Olympic qualification matches in Guadalajara.
It is possible that more sanctions are on the way. Today's ban, which also included a fine for the federation, was announced a full three months after the incident.
"Without a doubt, if we don’t stop this now, the effect it could have on the industry of soccer in Mexico could be devastating," De Luisa said at a news conference in Mexico City. "We hope other sanctions that could arrive don’t come, that this will be the first and last sanction FIFA imposes.
"We’re waiting for information from FIFA. What we know is that Mexico-Iceland is being investigated. We’re getting the information together FIFA has asked for to be able to close the case as soon as possible."
Prior to that match, the first of up to a dozen Mexico will play in the United States this summer and the first of four in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the federation launched a large campaign in both Spanish and English dedicated to eradicating the word. Yet, it was still shouted during Mexico's 2-0 victory in late May, with the referee initiating step one of the three-step protocol FIFA and the FMF have developed on multiple occasions.
Both Mexico's semifinal and final of the Concacaf Nations League also experienced pauses. The final was also interrupted by fans tossing items on the field.
Yet, De Luisa said there can be hope that Mexico fans are beginning to listen to the federation's desperate pleas — which began in 2019 but picked up in earnest last month — to stop saying the word.
"City by city, we have to keep working. Fortunately, we could see in the last game in Atlanta vs. Honduras, the grito was eliminated," he said. "This is a piece of evidence that working together, we can achieve it."
It is unclear when FIFA will release its verdict on the match in Arlington. What is clear is that the Mexican federation wants fans in North Texas and beyond to enjoy the game without bringing the chant into proceedings. DFW will serve as Mexico's home base during the Gold Cup group stage, with El Tri playing at AT&T Stadium again on July 10 before a pair of matches at the Cotton Bowl on July 14 and July 18.
