San Diego FC cracks down on anti-gay chant amidst fan backlash

In the United States, San Diego FC, a Major League Soccer expansion team, has faced significant challenges regarding discriminatory chanting by fans during home matches. Shortly after its inaugural home match on March 1, 2025, in which a homophobic chant disrupted the game, the team announced a series of measures aimed at curtailing such behavior. This incident, which occurred during a scoreless draw against St. Louis City, highlighted a recurring issue that has affected not only the MLS but soccer culture in general, particularly with chants that have roots in Mexican soccer.  In response to the incident, San Diego FC’s management declared a commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment. The organization revealed a comprehensive strategy that will utilize pre-match announcements and in-stadium messaging to communicate the unacceptability of discriminatory language. Fans will receive newsletters clarifying the club's stance, and flyers will be placed in seat cupholders containing messages affirming the team’s values, alongside a prominent “Aquí No” or “Not Here” slogan. Enhancements to security protocols are also part of this initiative, with increased staffing around the stadium, particularly near the opposing goalkeeper's area, where the chants traditionally occur.  Further measures include a strong enforcement policy against offenders, who may face ejection from the stadium and possible additional sanctions. During matches, the team intends to utilize the FIFA three-step protocol, enabling officials to stop, suspend, or even abandon games if discriminatory behavior persists. This protocol, already established by FIFA for situations involving discriminatory chanting, has been in practice since 2019 and aims to deter such actions amongst fans. The club aims to set a standard not just for its own games but to ensure the chant does not infiltrate MLS culture. Team officials, including CEO Tom Penn, head coach Mikey Varas, and midfielder Aníbal Godoy, pledged to deliver messages of unity and inclusivity before kickoff. Their public commitment emphasizes the team's zero-tolerance approach to the chants, reinforcing that such behavior does not reflect the values of the organization or the broader San Diego community. Varas, in particular, voiced strong condemnation of the chanting that took place during the initial match, distancing the team from the actions of a few fans and reaffirming their commitment to change and unity across their fan base. These proactive measures signify a critical step towards improving the culture surrounding soccer in the area and showcase the team's efforts to create a welcoming atmosphere for all supporters.