San Diego FC, a member franchise of Major League Soccer (MLS), is planning to dramatically increase its security equipment to counter anti-gay chants that have become famous by Mexican football fans.
“The number of stadium security personnel will increase, strategically placed in key areas and increase presence near the opposing goalkeeper section. Criminals may be identified, exiled and faced with additional sanctions,” the team wrote in a statement.
If a chant is used, the team will cancel the match.
As one positive measure, the team publishes and posts flyers that read “AquíNo”/”Not Not Here.” The team also plays messages recorded in Spanish from the head coach and star players. The banner will also be displayed throughout the stadium.
The driving force behind the crackdown comes from the team's March 1st match against St. Louis, where the chant was heard three times. The fans reportedly kept screaming slur despite repeated requests to stop.
San Diego FC coach Mikey Barras denounced fans for using the chant after the game.
“The chant I heard tonight is unacceptable,” Balas said. “It's outside our value system. It doesn't represent a player, me, or a club, and certainly not San Diego or Baja California. It doesn't reflect who we are. We are a community full of love, support and we believe in the power of diversity.”
The chant “put” is a Spanish word used to describe male prostitutes.
Its use has already resulted in serious penalties for the Mexican national team (MNT). In 2021, FIFA decided that MNT must play both World Cup qualifying matches in empty stadiums, as it is likely that Mexican fans are using chants with opposing players.
But that rarely stopped the problem. In 2023 and 2024, the US vs. Mexico CONCACAF match was suspended twice after both Mexican fans used the chant.
