FIFA penalises Mexico for offensive chants by fans during World Cup matches

MEXICO CITY : FIFA sanctioned the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) for the offensive chants the country's fans made during their matches at last year's World Cup by ordering it to play a game behind closed doors and fined it 100,000 Swiss francs ($108,000).

"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has fined FMF with a fine of CHF 100,000 and one match to be played behind closed doors in light of chants by Mexican supporters during the Mexico v. Poland and Saudi Arabia v. Mexico World Cup matches," FIFA said in a statement on Friday.

"This sanction will apply on the next official match played by their senior men's national team in a FIFA competition."

The FMF has been sanctioned on several occasions because of a shout Mexican fans make before the rival goalkeeper clears the ball.

Mexico will play Jamaica behind closed doors on March 25 in the CONCACAF Nations League.

($1 = 0.9260 Swiss francs)