Source
The following statement was released by the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) in the aftermath of the 2023 Concacaf Nations League Semifinal between Mexico and the United States. Issued immediately after the match, it shows the governing bodies’ response to discriminatory chants. The chants were serious enough to lead to fan ejections and the triggering of formal anti-discrimination protocols. This incident was of great importance to the soccer world, as it reflected fans crossing the line with what they said during this rivalry game.
This source is essential for understanding how the US-Mexico rivalry carries consequences that extend well beyond the pitch. Discriminatory chanting by Mexican national team fans is a well-documented problem that has at times defined and overshadowed the rivalry for decades. Concacaf’s response and investigation reveal how a governing body addresses and attempts to stop some of the more harmful incidents that occur as a result of the intensity of this rivalry.
Concacaf strongly condemns the discriminatory chanting by some fans during the 2023 Concacaf Nations League Semifinal match between Mexico and the United States. Chants heard during the game led to the activation of the anti-discrimination protocol by the match officials. Additionally, security staff ejected several fans for engaging in unacceptable behavior in the stadium. These incidents were extremely disappointing and tarnished what should have been a positive occasion to showcase high quality football in our region. The Confederation is in the process of urgently establishing further details and reports from security and match officials and will make a further statement in short order.
CONCACAF. “CONCACAF Statement — Discriminatory Chants during CNL Semifinal.” Official Statement. CONCACAF.com, June 16, 2023. https://www.concacaf.com/news/concacaf-statement-discriminatory-chants-during-cnl-semifinal/