BRAZIL’s clash with Mexico was suspended mid-match after homophobic chants were heard in the stands.
The game was interrupted after 59 minutes, while the Seleção was winning 2-0.
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Screams were heard from the Mexican side during Alisson Becker’s goal kick.
Referee Lukasz Szpala immediately paused the game and spoke to the players about the pause.
A message was displayed on the big screen at Kyle Field stadium in Texas, America.
It said: “Because of the discriminatory chant you just heard, the game has been temporarily stopped.
“Any individual who participates in the discriminatory chant will be expelled from the stadium.”
The protocol begins with the interruption of the match and a warning to fans.
The second stage causes the match to be suspended and the players to be transferred to the benches.
The final stage would see the match abandoned.
Brazil were in a strong position before the delay as Andreas Pereira and Gabriel Martinelli found the net.
However, after play resumed, Mexico regained equality.
Julian Quinones scored in the 73rd minute before Guillermo Martinez appeared to rescue the equalizer in the 92nd minute.
But that wasn’t the end as the Real Madrid-bound Endrick scored the winner in the 96th minute to continue his rise in the world of football.
It is not the first time that Mexican fans have been involved in controversy this year with homophobic chants.
In March, the CONCACAF Nations League clash against the USA was suspended due to derogatory chants.
Football’s highest governing body condemned the shouting after the match.
A statement read: “CONCACAF condemns discriminatory chants.
“Stadium security staff identified and ejected a significant number of fans, and the referee and match officials activated FIFA protocol.
“It is extremely disappointing that this issue continues to be an issue in some games.”
The Mexican Football Federation was held responsible by FIFA and faced with fines and stadium closures following incidents during the 2018 and 2022 World Cup and Olympic qualifying matches.
Fines, bans and punishments in Mexico
- January 2023: £85,000 fine and one-game fan ban (for singing at 2022 World Cup)
- November 2021: £86,000 fine and two-match fan ban (for singing at 2021 matches)
- June 2021: £51,000 fine and two-match fan ban (for March 2021 Olympic qualifiers)
- June 2018: £82,000 fine (for corner against Germany in World Cup)
- Various 2018: Mexico fined eight times and warned (for chants during 2018 World Cup qualifiers)
- November 2017: TAS cancels Mexican fines (for corners in 2015 and March 2016)
- April 2017: £8,200 fine (per corner during 2018 World Cup qualifiers)
- December 2016: £15,000 fine
- October 2016: £24,000 fine (for corner against Honduras)
- June 2014: FIFA releases Mexican fans after investigation (for chants against Cameroon)
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