Mexican fans chant homophobic slur at World Cup round‑of‑16 match vs Ecuador

During the World Cup round‑of‑16 match between host Mexico and Ecuador at the Azteca Stadium, Mexican supporters repeatedly shouted the homophobic slur “puto” toward Ecuadorian goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez. The chant, heard as the keeper took a goal‑kick, was reported by multiple media outlets, including the Associated Press.

FIFA has previously sanctioned the Mexican federation for similar incidents, imposing fines and sealing off sections of stadiums, such as during a test match in Puebla. In response, the Mexican Football Federation launched a campaign titled “La Ola sí, el Grito no” to discourage the chant. The episode reflects an ongoing pattern of homophobic chants by fans at major tournaments, dating back to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and recurring in subsequent editions.