Mexico federation loses appeal against Fifa fines for fans’ homophobic chant

• Fifa doled out heavy fines for repeated violations

• Mexico has campaigned to eradicate the chant

• World Cup opener features Mexico at the Azteca

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Just days before the World Cup opens in Mexico City, the Mexican soccer federation on Tuesday lost its latest appeal against Fifa punishments for fans chanting an anti-gay slur at opponents’ players.

The latest ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) in a series of Mexico v Fifa appeal cases over more than 10 years comes ahead of the men’s national team hosting South Africa on 11 June in the storied Azteca Stadium where the chant is often heard.