San Diego FC officials condemn homophobic chant at match

San Diego FC's head coach Mikey Varas and sporting director Tyler Heaps have condemned a homophobic chant that was heard at their club's inaugural home soccer match last weekend.

A one-word Spanish chant, which is commonly heard at Mexican national soccer matches, was used both during and following the club's match against St. Louis City on Saturday night.

More than 34,000 fans had gathered at San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium to celebrate the debut of Major League Soccer's 30th team.

Varas began his postmatch press conference by denouncing fans who participated in the chant, despite numerous warnings displayed on the scoreboard and announced over the public address system.

He made his remarks in both Spanish and English.

“The chant that was heard tonight is unacceptable,” he said. “It’s outside of our value system. It doesn’t represent the players, myself or the club, and it certainly doesn’t represent San Diego or Baja California. It’s not a reflection of who we are. We’re a community full of love, of support, and we believe in the power of diversity.”

"It wasn’t everybody,” he added. “I understand that, but it was enough people, and I just want to make very clear that it has no place here."

"If they’re going to continue to come to the game and make that chant, it’s better that they don’t come here.”

The single-word homophobic insult is commonly heard in both club and national soccer matches in Mexico, as well as Mexican national team games in the U.S., according to the Associated Press.

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