The “homophobic cry” returns to Azteca Stadium during Mexico-Honduras

The never-ending story... The “homophobic cry” returned to the Azteca Stadium just when the the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) considered the battle won. In the 37th minute of the second leg of the quarterfinals between Mexico and Honduras, playing for the Concacaf Nations League, the Mexican fans reproached the Catracha goalkeeper, Edrick Menjivar. As soon as the Olimpia goalkeeper put the ball into play with his foot, several of the 70,000 fans sang in chorus, “ehh, p***” - a slur that roughly translates to “gay prostitute”.

Prior to the incident, Menjivar collapsed on the grass a couple of times, angering the fans. The screams resounded with fury despite the attempts of the stadium’s public address system to hide it behind drums and cymbals playing at full blast. Two minutes later, Menjivar once again received contempt, but with less vigor. The text on the Azteca screens encouraged Tri fans, instead, to sing “Olé, Olé, jump for the Tricolor”, without much success.

A FIFA sanction on the FMF for the return of the ‘homophobic cry’ seems unlikely. In 2022, prior to the World Cup in Qatar, the highest body recognized Mexican efforts to stop the practice, which is why it would no longer promote fines or vetoes, former president of the FMF, Yon de Luisa, declared then.

It is worth mentioning that at minute 80 and 86 the aforementioned shout resounded again, which is why the Azteca public address system warned that if it were heard again, the match would have to be suspended.