World Cup: Will FIFA punish Mexico after fans' homophobic chant returns vs. Czechia?
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Chris CwikContributing writerThu, June 25, 2026 at 3:42 PM UTC·3 min readAt least three times during Mexico's 3-0 win over Czechia on Wednesday, Mexico's fans could be heard chanting an anti-gay slur 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 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.
AdvertisementAdvertisementDespite FIFA's attempts to curb the chant, it returned Wednesday, causing questions over whether FIFA will take action once again 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.
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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 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 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 $65,000 and the team was forced to play two World Cup qualifiers in empty stadiums.
Will Mexico be punished for homophobic chant at 2026 World Cup?
While FIFA could attempt to take action against Mexico once again, enforcing those actions could prove difficult. Mexico is one of the host countries for the 2026 World Cup, with games being held in Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey.
AdvertisementAdvertisementOfficials could attempt to stop matches at those venues if Mexico's fans decide to utter the chant, though that would be an unpopular move. Escalating things to the level of suspending or abandoning a match could also be met with a negative response from fans.
And while FIFA has shown a willingness in the past to make Mexico play games in an empty stadium, doing that during the World Cup is unrealistic … especially with games being held in Mexico.
That puts FIFA in a difficult spot. A hefty fine could do enough to put fear into the FMF, though it wouldn't have an effect on the fans unless Mexico's players start to speak out again, discouraging the chant.
That's a strategy that's had some success in the past, though has yet to result in a long-term solution.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
