"Homophobic chants not serious", says Mexico coach

Miguel Herrera [photo courtesy]

Mexico coach Miguel Herrera on Friday dismissed the furore surrounding supposedly homophobic chanting by his country's fans, claiming it wasn't "serious".

Mexico are being investigated by FIFA over alleged anti-gay chanting by their fans during their 1-0 Group A win over Cameroon on June 13.

Media reports claim fans hurled abuse at Cameroon goalkeeper Charles Itandje.

"It seems to me that it's not serious. You see that every time there's a sending off or a bad decision, the poor referee gets everything said to him, you would have to fine both teams in every match.

"As such I don't think that will happen this time.

"There are more important things to resolve than things that have been said to goalkeepers in Mexico for some time."

In Mexico, fans have long shouted out "puto" when goalkeepers take a goal-kick, in much the same way that English fans shout "bullshit" in the same moments.

Puto is the Spanish word for a male prostitute which is also used as a derogatory term for homosexuals.

FIFA decided to look into the chanting at the Mexico-Cameroon game after complaints by the FARE equality in football network.

"We have opened proceedings against Mexico for improper conduct of supporters. As the proceedings are ongoing we are not in a position comment further," FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer.

When asked about the FIFA investigation, Herrera declined to comment, saying he was concentrating on preparing his team for their final group match against Croatia on Monday.

Mexico are level on four points with Brazil at the top of Group A, one point above Croatia, against whom they must avoid defeat in order to progress to the last 16. Pointless Cameroon have already been eliminated.