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The Mexican Football Federation will appeal the fine and warning it received from FIFA for what the organization deemed "homophobic chants from supporters." FIFA sanctioned Mexico for fans' actions during El Tri's 3-0 victory over El Salvador in World Cup qualifying in Estadio Azteca on Nov. 13. Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay also received fines. "It's an issue that requires more discussion, it is a chant that occurs in games and not just recently," FMF general secretary Guillermo Cantu told ESPN Deportes. The chant -- aimed at the opposing team's goalkeeper when taking a goal kick -- has been used in Liga MX and Mexico national team matches for years, but other Spanish-speaking Latin America nations have also picked it up. Mexico's defense of the $20,000 fine is that the shout "is not discriminatory" and that "you have to understand some words culturally," according to Cantu. The issue first came to the world's attention during the 2014 World Cup, when FIFA investigated the same chant from Mexico fans, but the organization ruled that it "is not considered insulting in this specific context." "This came up years ago, in the World Cup and the result was favorable," added Cantu. "We have a precedent in our favor."
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