Why FIFA Should Hit Mexico with Harsher Penalties for 'Puto' Chants Elliott Turner - Fusion
go to original January 29, 2016

Watch Mexico fans do the famous "puto!" & then moments later the Brazilians turn the table with a "puto" of their own. (Mark Harpin)

Two years later, FIFA has finally fined Mexico for fans chanting puto at games. I already explained back in 2014 why this term is offensive and heterosexist. Yes, lots of Mexico fans say they don’t mean it “that way,” but recall the early 1990s when Americans used the word “gay” to mean “stupid”? Yeah, that was offensive. It still is. Puto is no different. The LGBTQ community in Mexico finds the term offensive, has made that point well known, and the so-called “tradition” is less than two decades old. It needs to go and the time is ripe to make it happen. Still, one problem remains: FIFA’s impotency.

Yes, FIFA has no moral perch upon which to stand. Corruption scandals aside, the next two World Cups will be hosted by Russia and Qatar, two countries that are not LGBT friendly. Still, FIFA fining Latin American teams for the puto chant at least puts heterosexism in the same plane as racism, sexism, etc. The symbolic punishment of the term reflects a growing awareness of the issue. Also, it’s progress to see FIFA rejecting the “bro didn’t know” defense. You can’t say puto and not know it’s offensive to LGBTQ folks, unless you willfully close your eyes and ears and avoid members of that community at all times.

Still, I fully expect to hear puto chants at Mexico games for the foreseeable future.

Read the rest at Fusion

Related: FIFA Fines for Homophobic Abuse Are Just a Reflection of a Deeper Problem in South American Soccer (Fusion)

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!