SAN DIEGO — In an effort to prevent discriminatory chants during home games, San Diego FC has announced the implementation of numerous pre-match and in-stadium strategies, along with enhanced security and strict enforcement of its policies. This decision follows an incident of a homophobic chant that disrupted the inaugural home match of the Major League Soccer expansion club on March 1, during a game that ended in a scoreless draw against St. Louis City.
The objectionable chant was heard three times during the second half of the match, prompting the club to issue a firm condemnation. To tackle such occurrences, San Diego FC has committed to sending out a “Know Before You Go” newsletter to all ticket purchasers. This newsletter will reiterate the club’s dedication to promoting an inclusive and respectful atmosphere. To further this effort, a flyer will be placed in the cupholders of every seat, alerting attendees that discriminatory language will not be tolerated, accompanied by the message: “Aquí No” / “Not Here.”
In a proactive move to foster an environment of unity and inclusivity, club CEO Tom Penn, coach Mikey Varas, midfielder Aníbal Godoy, and leaders from the team’s supporters’ union will deliver pre-kickoff messages. These messages will clearly articulate the team’s zero-tolerance policy against offensive chants. Additionally, a visible banner echoing this message will be displayed prominently in the supporters’ section.
The club is also amplifying security measures by increasing the number of security personnel who will be strategically stationed throughout the stadium, with particular focus near the opposing goalkeeper’s section. Those engaging in offensive behavior will be identified and removed from the premises, and they could face further disciplinary actions.
San Diego FC home matches will adhere to FIFA’s three-step protocol, providing the team the authority to interrupt, suspend, or even abandon a match if such discriminatory behavior continues. The slur, which is a single word in Spanish, typically occurs when the opposing goalkeeper takes a goal kick and is a persistent issue both in club and national team soccer, especially in Mexico.
