Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) on Wednesday fined both Mexican Football Federation (FMF) and Serbian Football Association about 10,400 US dollars for using discriminatory, humiliating slogans (Mexican fans) and offensive, political slogans (Serbian fans) at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

During the game in Group F on June 17 when Mexico beat Germany 1-0, some Mexican fans sang loud songs that discriminated against homosexuals every time Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer did a goal kick. Anti-discrimination observers considered such actions a breach of FIFA's relevant rules.

In the fine notice sent to Mexico's football governing body, FIFA wrote: "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) with a fine of CHF 10,000 for the misconduct of a group of Mexican fans (cf. art. 67 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code) in relation to discriminatory and insulting chants during the first half of the 2018 FIFA World Cup match played between Germany and Mexico."

A song named "Puto" was popular among Mexico's football fans. One of the lyrics meant people who do not dance are Chilean gay. ESPN said that stadium security may escort fans who keep singing this song out. FMF has already received 12 sanctions from FIFA for improper behaviors against homosexuals during the qualifying campaign of this World Cup, including two warnings and 10 fines.

The country's striker Javier Hernandez hoped that fans could stop singing this song by posting on Instagram on Wednesday: "To all Mexican fans in the stadiums, don’t shout ‘Puto.’ Let’s not risk another sanction."

Mexico's midfield player Marco Fabian defended fans but also called for abandoning the song on Twitter. "Yes, we all know that it is not an anti-gay slur nor is it insulting. The intent is not to offend, and it is meant to be teasing and part of Mexican folklore. But we also know that when we as Mexicans put our minds to something, we accomplish it. And I know that our Mexican fans in Russia will be abstaining from using this chant, correct?" said Fabian.

FIFA fined Serbian Football Association for improper actions by the country's fans during the game in Group E on June 17 between Serbia and Costa Rica. "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the Serbian Football Association with a fine of CHF 10,000 for the display of an offensive and political banner by Serbian fans during the match played between Serbia and Costa Rica," said FIFA.