FIFA's Moral Confusion: No Rainbow Flags, Hats or Armbands, and No Nasty Homophobic Chants Ecuador

November 24 – FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Ecuador for homophobic chanting by its fans during the opening match of the World Cup against host country Qatar.

The chant was in response to Chile's unsuccessful protest that Ecuador should have been expelled from the tournament for fielding an ineligible player in the qualifiers.

Although Chile's appeal failed, Ecuador were fined and given a points deduction for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The player in question, Byron Castillo, has been dropped from the current squad to avoid further controversy.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Ecuadorian Football Federation due to the chants of Ecuadorian fans,” the world football governing body said in a statement on Tuesday, citing Article 13 of the its disciplinary code.

Potential penalties in the code include playing a match behind closed doors or being banned from playing in a particular stadium.

Ecuadorian fans also caught the world's attention with their Spanish-language chants of "we want beer" during the team's 2-0 win at Al Bayt Stadium. This was a reference to organizers FIFA and Qatar banning the sale of alcohol in stadiums.

There was no immediate response from the Ecuadorian football federation.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee said it had also brought charges against Mexico without giving details of the allegations of chanting during their 0-0 draw with Poland on Tuesday.

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