San Diego FC Addresses Anti-Gay Chant at Home Debut

San Diego, California — San Diego FC‘s home debut in Major League Soccer was overshadowed by the emergence of an anti-gay chant from a section of the crowd. The club swiftly condemned this behavior, reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity and respect within the sport.

The situation unfolded during the match against St. Louis City at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, where approximately 34,506 fans gathered to celebrate the team’s inaugural home game. Head Coach Mikey Varas and Sporting Director Tyler Heaps voiced their disappointment after fans directed the homophobic slur at St. Louis goalkeeper Roman Burki.

“The chant that was heard tonight is unacceptable,” Varas stated during the post-match conference. He emphasized that such actions do not reflect the values of San Diego FC, the players, or the local community, which Varas described as “full of love and support.” He further expressed that those who choose to chant should reconsider attending future matches.

This chant, which has its roots in Mexican soccer, has been a pervasive issue, often heard during high-stakes games involving the Mexican national team. It is typically shouted by supporters when an opposing goalkeeper prepares for a goal kick and has led to repeated fines for the Mexican Football Federation from FIFA. Despite ongoing efforts to eradicate it, the chant still resurfaces at matches.

In light of the incident at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego FC has committed to an immediate action plan to address and eliminate homophobic language from their games. The team aims to cultivate an environment that embraces all members of the community, and plans to implement new measures during the upcoming home match against Columbus on March 15.

Heaps echoed Varas’s sentiments, stating, “This kind of behavior is totally against our values as a club and who we are as people.” The club emphasized soccer as a sport for everyone and reinforced that intolerance in any form would not be tolerated in their stadium.

San Diego FC’s proactive response may provide a framework for other organizations facing similar challenges, particularly with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, which will be hosted in North America, including 13 matches in Mexico.

Local demographic dynamics underline the significance of this issue, as San Diego markets itself to fans not only from the city but also from Tijuana, Mexico. The club recently signed Hirving Lozano, a popular Mexican international, to appeal to a broader base. However, the offensive behavior of some fans underscores a divide that the club seeks to bridge.

San Diego FC’s commitment to fostering respect and inclusivity stands as a positive example in the realm of sports, highlighting the ongoing struggle against discrimination on and off the field. The hope is that the initiatives taken by the club may inspire fans to embrace a culture of acceptance and kindness.