Football - Mexico Two home games without spectators due to fan behavior

ZURICH (DPA) – Due to homophobic fan chants, Mexico have to play their next two home games in World Cup qualifying in front of empty ranks.

As announced by world football association FIFA, the Mexican association was also fined 100,000 Swiss francs (94,700 euros) for “discriminatory behavior by supporters”.

According to information from FIFA, the Mexican national team’s home games against Canada and Honduras last month had homophobic chants. The next two matches – against Costa Rica (January 30, 2022) and Panama (February 2) – must therefore be played in empty stadiums. The World Cup will be held in Qatar at the end of 2022.

sanctions against Hungary

FIFA again punished the Hungarian national team for the misbehavior of their supporters. Due to fan riots in the World Cup qualifier against England at London’s Wembley Stadium on 12 October, Hungary would have to give up spectator support in their last game in Group I in Poland on 15 November, as announced by FIFA. In addition, the Hungarian Association would have to pay 75,000 Swiss francs (about 71,000 euros). In a 1-1 draw in London, dozens of emergency services clashed with guest fans in the stands. Shortly after the game began, officials came to the stands to arrest a spectator over a racist incident.

Due to the racist failures of their fans in the first leg (0:4) against England in Budapest on 2 September, FIFA punished the Hungarian Association with a boycott of spectators and a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs (a good 183,000 euros). . Hungary had to play its World Cup qualifier on 9 October against Albania (0:1) in front of empty ranks.

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According to FIFA the Albanian and Polish confederations were also approved. Albania will play their last qualifying home match against Andorra on camera on 15 November. The association was fined 150,000 francs (about 142,000 euros). Reason: In Tirana, plastic bottles flew in the direction of cheering players after Poland’s 1-0 winner on October 12. The game was interrupted for about 20 minutes.

Polish fans were also uncomfortable at the time. Therefore, Poland would have to make do without supporters and pay 50,000 Swiss francs (about 47,000 euros) in their last away game in Andorra on 12 November.