Copa chiefs want homophobic chants to stop but will take no action

Centenary Copa America officials say homophobic chanting at international matches "must stop" but they have opted not to take action against offending teams.

"The Confederation of North, Central America and the Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the Confederation of South American Football (CONMEBOL) take any chants or actions that are derogatory or offensive during our matches very seriously," organisers said in a joint statement on Thursday.

"This behaviour does not reflect the true spirit of football and must be stopped."

- Mexican players launch campaign against homophobia

The confederations said they launched an 'Embrace Diversity' campaign before the tournament and promised more initiatives in the future.

However, unlike football's ruling body FIFA, which fined Argentina, Chile, Honduras, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay for homophobic chants by fans earlier this year, the confederations decided to take no action.

The shouts have been heard at many matches at the Centenary Copa America in the United States and usually come when goalkeepers run up to take goal kicks.

The practice described by FIFA as "insulting and discriminatory chants" has been particularly noticeable in games involving Mexico.

Image: Fans of Mexico wait in the stands prior to the start of a Copa America match in Houston, Texas (Image used for representational purposes)

Photograph: Scott Halleran/Getty Images