Team USA defeated arch-rivals Mexico 3-0 to advance to the final of the CONCACAF Nations League soccer series. Thursday’s game in Las Vegas (local time) was overshadowed by four outs and chants from homophobic fans. Canada beat Panama 2-0 in Sunday’s final.
American star Christian Pulisic scored in the 37th and 46th minutes and Ricardo Pepi scored in the 78th minute. Weston McKenney and Sergino Test for the USA and Cesar Montes and Gerardo Arteaga for Mexico were sent off in the second half. Referee Evan Barton from El Salvador stopped the game in the 90th minute for homophobic chants.
Barton was not allowed to play the scheduled twelve minutes, but whistled when the chant resumed in the eighth minute of added time. Mexico’s fans are known for their homophobic chants. World association FIFA has punished the Latin American country more than a dozen times in recent years, including for ghost games.
“Concacaf strongly condemns the discriminatory chants of some fans during the semi-final (…),” the association’s statement said. “These incidents are extremely disappointing and have tarnished the image of a positive event that should showcase quality football in our region. The confederation is urgently seeking further details and reports from the security forces and competition authorities and will make an announcement soon.”
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