DALLAS — When the U.S. Men's National Team scored its second goal in the CONCACAF Nations League Final at AT&T Stadium on Sunday night, there was celebration before fans started throwing debris onto the pitch.
“Yea, that was unfortunate because we want a really competitive game. We want a great atmosphere," U.S. Men's National Coach, Gregg Berhalter, said.
Shortly after, the atmosphere took another turn as fans started yelling a homophobic slur the Mexico National Team and soccer officials have been trying to eradicate for years. Referees stopped play not once, but twice to get fans in the crowd to stop.
“It hurts when it’s whispered. It hurts when it’s shouted,” Gay and Lesbian Alliance of North Texas Social Media Director Clint Faulknor said about the impact of slurs. “We have to find that common ground which is the love of the sport and just focus on the love of the sport.”
New rules punishing discriminatory language have been established. Just last year, the U.S. Men's match against Mexico was cut short in Las Vegas because of the same derogatory slur. There have also been fines and banishment from stadiums to stop the use of the word.
"It is extremely disappointing that this matter continues to be an issue at some matches, particularly in the context of the next two years presenting such a tremendous opportunity to grow the sport in our region," CONCACAF wrote in a statement.
When asked if the organizations are doing enough, Faulknor said he thinks it's a good start.
"Pausing a game to address something right there, right there and then is a visual for the audience," he said.
As North Texas prepares to host FIFA World Cup matches in 2026, his hope is "just to be inclusive. Just to be mindful.”
