Here’s What Mexico Had to Say After FIFA Homophobic Chant Fiasco

The Mexican Soccer Federation doesn't want to pay FIFA's fines for its football fans' anti-gay chants.

FIFA recently gave out an official press release stating that the "insulting and discriminatory chants" during the World Cup qualifying matches will result in the fans' respective countries having to pay the fines for discrimination.

"FIFA has been fighting discrimination in soccer for many years and one part of that has been through sanctions," according to Chairman Claudio Sulser of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

"With the new comprehensive monitoring system for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Disciplinary Committee has additional support, thanks to the detailed reports provided by anti-discrimination match observers," he added.

Chile was asked to pay $70,000 Swiss francs. Meanwhile, the other four countries whose fans made the derogatory chants will have to pay $20,000 Swiss francs each.

However, General Secretary Guillermo Cantú of the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol doesn't think that its fans' "puto" chants merit the fines. The office has decided to assure fans and make an appeal against the anti-gay charges.

According to Mediotiempo, Cantú's appeal went as follows:

"We have some basis for requesting an appeal. I believe that a dialogue and an understanding between parties is important, especially in order for us to be able to provide a cultural explanation as to the multiple meanings of certain words within our culture."

He also said that the FMF's argument has found the "puto" chants "not discriminatory in a homophobic sense. One must understand some mexicanismos that have been created over time, and fútbol is no exception (to their use)," according to 24-horas.

A document explaining the context of Mexico fans' anti-gay chants will be made for the planned appeal, which would say that the FMF is pro anti-discrimination in football.

As Cantú said:

"We are in favor of reducing this type of discrimination, which we are all subject to---people all over the world."

According to Mediotiempo, the chant's history echoes Cantú's words that the chants weren't meant to be discriminatory.

However, as Remezcla pointed out, the bigoted undertone of the "puto" chants cannot be denied. In addition, Mexican fútbol has a considerable influence on society, meaning the situation has a bigger gravitas to the people as a whole.

It's interesting to see the FMF's decision for an appeal when, according to Forbes, the federation already makes millions from the sport.

Check out videos of the "puto" chants of Mexican football fans below.