FIFA investigates Ecuador followers’ homophobic chants

FIFA mentioned it has opened disciplinary proceedings in opposition to Ecuador over homophobic chanting by their followers of their World Cup opener.

Ecuador had confronted doable expulsion from the match after Chile complained that they had fielded an ineligible participant throughout the qualifiers. They had been fined and acquired a factors deduction for the subsequent World Cup qualifiers however have been allowed to compete in Qatar.

The participant, Byron Castillo, was disregarded of the squad to keep away from additional controversy. At Ecuador’s opening sport in opposition to Qatar, to kick off the World Cup on Sunday, some amongst their massed ranks of yellow-clad followers sang a homophobic chant in opposition to Chileans.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Ecuadorean Football Association due to chants by Ecuadorean supporters,” world soccer’s governing physique mentioned in an announcement late on Tuesday, citing article 13 of its disciplinary code.

Potential sanctions within the code embrace enjoying a match with out spectators or a ban on enjoying in a selected stadium. There was no quick response from Ecuador’s soccer federation. It has been exultantly re-tweeting photographs from their 2-0 win on the Al Bayt stadium.

Much to the amusement of many watching world wide, Ecuador followers additionally chanted “We want beer!” in reference to a controversial stadium ban on alcohol consumption on the insistence of the conservative Muslim host nation. LGBT rights have taken prominence throughout this World Cup, drawing some protests, as homosexuality is against the law in Qatar. Ecuador are joint high of Group A with the Netherlands whom they face on Friday.