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FIFA hands Mexico two-match fan ban for anti-gay chants in Canada, Honduras matches

Mexico will have to play in an empty stadium for its next two home games in World Cup qualifying because of persistent anti-gay chants by fans, FIFA said on Monday.

The Mexico football federation was also fined 100,000 Swiss francs ($110,000) for charges of "discriminatory behavior by supporters.''

It's the latest punishment in a long-standing campaign to stop fans from directing slurs at opposing players.

Mexico will host Costa Rica on Jan. 30 and Panama on Feb. 2 in an empty stadium, costing the federation millions of dollars in lost revenue.

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The anti-gay chants were heard last month when Mexico hosted qualifiers against Canada and Honduras.

The storied Azteca Stadium drew a combined attendance of more than 130,000 fans for those games.

The Azteca was empty when Mexico opened World Cup qualifying in September against Jamaica because of a previous FIFA punishment for anti-gay chants.

Mexico is scheduled to host the United States in World Cup qualifying on March 24.

Fans are expected for an exhibition match between Mexico and Chile on Dec. 8 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.