“Putogate” is back in the news. Never one to shy away from jumping aboard a disapproving bandwagon, the New York Times has joined in the condemnation over fans of the Mexican national soccer team chanting “puto” at opposing goalkeepers at the Copa América tournament.
Depending on whom you ask, “puto” either means “coward,” “lack of manhood” or “male prostitute.” But some believe, as we reported well before the Times weighed in, that it is homophobic, an anti-gay slur that should not be shouted in stadiums.
And now The Times is seeking to link “puto” to the Orlando shooting that killed 49 people during Latin Night at a gay nightclub just over a week ago. Commenting on the chant being heard during Mexico’s game against Venezuela in Houston last Monday, the Times wrote: “Some people even believe they heard it chanted with a little more gusto, as if in defiance over the criticism of the term.”
Expecting Mexico to get fined again because LA was loud when it came to the Puto chant
— Vianca (@viancacasta) June 10, 2016
FIFA, soccer’s discredited governing body, fined Mexico $56,000 for the chant last month, and there is persistent speculation that FIFA will crack down even heavier on Mexico for their fans shouting “puto.” Potential penalties including a larger fine and the team having to play future home games behind closed doors.
Times writer Randal C. Archibold sounds like he wants FIFA to go further: “In theory, FIFA could move to take away points in the World Cup standings, which could derail the team’s advancement to the 2018 finals.”
Univision also got in on the act, adding a warning prior to airing last night’s Copa América quarterfinal between Mexico and Chile, warning viewers they might hear “offensive language.”
Before #MexicoVsChile, @Univision airs warning that viewers may hear offense language (puto) during the broadcast. pic.twitter.com/lReXAzQPou
— Samuel Oakford (@samueloakford) June 19, 2016
Being deliberately anti-gay in the wake of the Orlando shootings is, of course, completely unacceptable. But is “puto” the slur some people would have us believe? There is no definitive evidence that Mexican fans are purposefully setting out to be homophobic when they chant the term, as opposed to being offensive.
Fans of the Colombia national team also chant the refrain and it was also heard at a protest outside a Donald Trump rally in San Diego earlier this month. Protestors chanted the Spanish obscenity “puto,” together with “Donald Trump” and held placards that read, “Trump eres hijo de puta” and “Coachella contra el puto Trump.”
Columbia fans know what’s up! 🙂 Ahhhhhhh Puuuutttooooooo
#Puto #CopaAmerica #CopaAmericaCentenario #Colombia— Douglas Bernal (@ThehommieDouggi) June 12, 2016
Increasingly fed up during last night’s 7-0 thrashing against Chile in Guadalajara, Mexican fans even started chanting “puto” at their goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. FIFA might like to reflect that while the term “puto” is derogatory and charmless, Mexican fans would unlikely set out to be homophobic towards one of their own players.
This is all because Univision had that “Puto” disclosure in the beginning of the match. Pince political correctness.. #MEXvCHI #CopaAmerica
— Andrew J Ash (@AndrewJAsh) June 19, 2016