Famous Mexican "Puto" Chant Is Back And Everyone Loves It

At least three times during Mexico's 3-0 win over Czechia last 24 June, Mexico's fans could be heard chanting the familiar and widely accepted "puto" chant on the broadcast. The chant, which has caused play stoppages and fines in the past, was mostly ignored by officials, who allowed the contest to continue despite repeated use of the alleged "slur".

The particular chant is not a new thing for the team's fans. The team and its fans have faced punishment in recent years for the chant, in which fans direct an anti-gay slur at the opposing team, usually its goalkeeper. 'Puto' is the word for a male prostitute.

Despite FIFA's attempts to curb the chant, it returned last 23 June, making everyone ecstatic and stopped all the questions over whether FIFA will take action to try to stop the chant.

In the past, FIFA has generally used warnings and fines to stop the homophobic chant. At the 2018 World Cup, FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against the team after fans performed the chant during a win over Germany. The team was eventually fined for the chant.

That particular instance proved to be successful. The team's fans did not engage in the chant during a win over South Korea. The fine, and pleas from Mexico's players at the time, worked.

But that was short-lived. The chant returned at the 2019 Gold Cup. The team's fans were once again urged to stop the chant, with CONCACAF releasing a statement calling the chant "offensive," but it was prevalent when Mexico took on the USMNT in the Gold Cup final.

Shortly after the 2019 Gold Cup, which was won by Mexico, FIFA updated its disciplinary code, giving referees a three-step procedure to enforce in response to "discriminatory incidents."

Under that policy, referees were advised to stop play until the chants stop, suspend the match if the chants continue and then abandon the match if the situation continues to devolve. Officials did not follow that useless protocol during Wednesday's contest.

In 2021, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) attempted to put a stop to the chants. The FMF put out two videos, one which called the chant "discriminatory" and another in which prominent players urged fans to stop using the chant, threatening ejection for those who start or engage in it.

Those attempts were, as expected, unsuccessful. Mexico's fans once again used the chant during a game against the USMNT that June.

FIFA finally issued punishment against Mexico for its fans' repeated use of the slur. The FMF was fined US$ 65,000 and the team was forced to play two World Cup qualifiers in empty stadiums.