‘Unacceptable’ slur mars San Diego’s home opener

MLS' newest team saw their first game in front of their own supporters marred by homophobic chants.

San Diego’s first game in front of home fans was marred by several incidents of homophobic chants, forcing officials to warn that the game could be abandoned.

The team began play in MLS last weekend with a road win against the reigning champions, LA Galaxy. This weekend’s visit of St. Louis City, at a packed Snapdragon Stadium, was supposed to be the glorious homecoming but ended with San Diego head coach Mikey Varas decrying an “unacceptable” slur from the home support.

“The chant that was heard tonight is unacceptable,” Varas said after the game. “It’s outside of our value system. It doesn’t represent the players, myself or the club, and it certainly doesn’t represent San Diego or Baja California. It’s not a reflection of who we are. We’re a community full of love, of support, and we believe in the power of diversity.”

In recent years Mexican soccer fans have been penalised for using the one-word, homophobic slur in a bid to put off goalkeepers taking a goal kick. Unfortunately, that practice reared its head in San Diego on Saturday evening and the in-stadium video boards were used to appeal to supporters.

“Discrimination has no place in our sport and in our stadiums and will not be tolerated,” the message said. “The fan chant that was used is offensive and we ask that fans do not continue to use this chant.”

The game was stopped at one point and the third of the three warnings issued to fans suggested that the game could be abandoned. In the end, that was not required and head coach Varas was eager to point out that it was not coming from the La Frontera section, home to the club’s supporters group.

“This came from more the general population in the seats, and it wasn’t everybody,” Varas said. “I understand that, but it was enough people, and I just want to make very clear that it has no place here. If they’re going to continue to come to the game and make that chant, it’s better that they don’t come here.”

Mexican soccer has been dogged by this issue in recent years and it has had real consequences for the teams. The Mexican national team has been fined due to the use of the chance and a 2023 meeting between Mexico and the US was ended early due to persistent use of the chant.