San Diego FC coach Mikey Varas and sporting director Tyler Heaps expressed disappointment and anger after their membership’s inaugural residence match was marred within the second half by three occurrences of the homophobic chant often heard on the Mexican nationwide group’s soccer matches.
The membership uniformly decried the infamous one-word Spanish chant each throughout and after San Diego completed a scoreless draw with St. Louis Metropolis SC on Saturday night time at Snapdragon Stadium, which was filled with 34,506 followers celebrating the arrival of Main League Soccer’s thirtieth group.
Varas opened his postmatch information convention by condemning the followers who made the mantra regardless of repeated warnings in opposition to it on the scoreboard and over the general public deal with system. Varas delivered his assertion in each Spanish and English.
“The mantra that was heard tonight is unacceptable,” Varas mentioned. “It is outdoors of our worth system. It would not signify the gamers, myself or the membership, and it definitely would not signify San Diego or Baja California. It isn’t a mirrored image of who we’re. We’re a group full of affection, of help, and we imagine within the energy of range.”
Varas emphasised that the mantra wasn’t made by San Diego FC’s fundamental supporter part, the group often known as La Frontera.
“This got here from extra the final inhabitants within the seats, and it wasn’t all people,” Varas mentioned. “I perceive that, but it surely was sufficient individuals, and I simply wish to make very clear that it has no place right here. If they’ll proceed to come back to the sport and make that chant, it is higher that they do not come right here.”
The one-word slur is often made by followers whereas an opposing goalkeeper takes a objective kick, and it often happens in each membership soccer and nationwide group soccer in Mexico. It is also grow to be a regrettable staple within the Mexican nationwide group’s matches within the U.S.
The Mexican nationwide group has been fined repeatedly by FIFA for its followers’ habits relating to the mantra, which has compelled each stoppages in play and the shortening of a match between El Tri and the U.S. nationwide group lately. The mantra however persists, and it appears prone to be a difficulty at North America’s 2026 World Cup, which can characteristic 13 matches in Mexico.
“It’s very in opposition to our values as a membership, but in addition who we’re as individuals,” Heaps mentioned.
“One in all our core values is to be a very good particular person, and I feel that is what we’ll proceed to face behind. It’s very unacceptable, and clearly us as a membership, we’ll make sure that it doesn’t proceed into the long run.”
