The Mexican soccer federation was also fined 100,000 Swiss
francs ($110,000) for charges of “discriminatory behavior by supporters.” It’s
the latest punishment in a long-standing campaign to stop fans from directing
slurs at opposing players.
Mexico will host Costa Rica on Jan. 30 and Panama on Feb. 2
in an empty stadium, costing the federation millions of dollars in lost
revenue.
The anti-gay chants were heard last month when Mexico hosted
qualifiers against Canada and Honduras. The storied Azteca Stadium drew a
combined attendance of more than 130,000 fans for those games.
The Azteca was empty when Mexico opened World Cup qualifying
in September against Jamaica because of a previous FIFA punishment.
Mexico is scheduled to host the United States on March 24. -AP