Anti-gay slurs chanted from home supporters in Mexico Thursday during World Cup Qualifying cast a shadow over what will go down as a historic draw for Canada’s men’s soccer team.
Shocking stuff in this Mexico-Canada match as ref pauses play due to homophobic chants from Mexico supporters. Truly disgusting. Stronger action from CONCACAF and FIFA needed.
The situation forced match officials to pause play at Azteca Stadium when the homophobic chants rang out around the hour mark.
Officials were forced to issue a warning to fans in the stadium before the match got back underway moments later, ending in a tie, with Canada picking up a valuable away point against the top-ranked team in CONCACAF — the governing body for soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean.
59′ | Stoppage of play as a warning is issued in the stadium. #CANMNT ???????? 1:1 ???????? MEX#WCQ22#WCQ#ForCanada
This was not the first time Mexico supporters gave been reprimanded for homophobic rhetoric.
FIFA originally ordered Mexico to play two home games without fans after chants, which used a derogatory term for a male sex worker, were heard at an Olympic qualifying tournament in June.
The penalty was eventually reduced to one game, allowing fans to be in attendance for the 1-1 draw against Canada.
In addition to the suspension of fans from the stadium, the Mexican Football Federation was also fined about $65,000.
Mexican fans persist in aiming the chant at opposing teams’ goalkeepers, despite the repeated consequences.
However, homophobia and homophobic chants are not just a problem among Mexico fans.
According to the Guardian, FIFA issued 51 disciplinary actions during 2018 World Cup qualifiers related to homophobic actions.
While many of the actions were directed toward Mexico fans, supporters of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, and more were also fined.
Change needed, says advocate
Colin McKenna with PFLAG Vancouver says he isn’t entirely shocked by homophobic chants, adding many in the LGBTQ2S+ community feel unwelcome in sports.
“It’s a long standing issue for LGBTQ people to feel uncomfortable in sports venues or in the sports world, and this is a reason why. Many of us growing up heard similar things in sports arenas or similar places…it’s very disappointing,” McKenna said.
He is calling for accountability so people understand there are consequences to this kind of behaviour.
“[Officials] have a responsibility to make it clear that it won’t be acceptable going forward, and if that means that Mexico is disqualified entirely perhaps that’s what they need to do. It’s something that unless the organization takes a very firm stand it will just continue to happen,” he said.
He adds PFLAG works with parents and families to help them understand and accept their LGBTQ2+ children, adding these kinds of incidents have a huge impact on younger people.
“These types of events hold a ton of weight. The children in that country hear it, they see it, if it’s someone who is young and hasn’t yet come out, imagine the power that this holds?”
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
