Mexico react to 'insulting' chants at Confederations Cup, prepare for Russia match
Record ID:
896703
Mexico react to 'insulting' chants at Confederations Cup, prepare for Russia match
- Title: Mexico react to 'insulting' chants at Confederations Cup, prepare for Russia match
- Date: 23rd June 2017
- Summary: KAZAN, RUSSIA (JUNE 23, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MEXICO NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM PLAYERS ON PITCH TRAINING DOCTOR PUTTING BANDAGE ON FOOT OF GOALKEEPER GUILLERMO OCHOA VARIOUS OF PLAYERS TRAINING GOALKEEPER GUILLERMO OCHOA ON PITCH VARIOUS OF PLAYERS TRAINING OCHOA TRAINING MEDIA VARIOUS OF TRAINING IN PROGRESS EXTERIOR KAZAN ARENA SIGN READING (English): 'FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP RUSSIA 2017' MEXICO NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM COACH, JUAN CARLOS OSORIO, AND MIDFIELDER, ANDRES GUARDADO, ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE AND TAKING SEATS MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICO NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM COACH, JUAN CARLOS OSORIO, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION): "Well, I haven't said that we have everything against us. I haven't said that. No. I said that there are certain aspects - the fact that we are playing in Russia, in Kazan, with, I hope, 40 thousand fans in the stadium and 90 percent of them are going to be Russians. And they are playing to qualify for the next round. For this, I think it is going to be an amazing opportunity to show something. It is an amazing opportunity not for Juan Carlos Osorio, but for Mexican football in general and for our players to show they are well equipped to face that sort of responsibility. To show that we are capable, that we have talent, that we have confidence to play toe to toe in that sort of situation." BALL ON TABLE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICO NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM COACH, JUAN CARLOS OSORIO, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION): "We believe in fair play. In fact, when there was a problem with fair play I had a reaction that was maybe a little too strong. But we think that FIFA is recovering the trust of everyone who loves this sport. So, we are quite sure that nothing strange will happen tomorrow. We believe that the refereeing will be fair and transparent and the winner will be the one that deserves it." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICO NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM COACH, JUAN CARLOS OSORIO, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION): "We hope to show a high level of football to be able to win. Anything else, I think is not relevant. There are things that are outside of the pitch and we don't care about that. We are going to be really focused on what we can change, what we can manage, what we can have an impact on. That is the way that we are going to organise the game, where we are going to play and what conditions we will play in." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICO NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM MIDFIELDER, ANDRES GUARDADO, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION): "No, we don't think it is a success for our delegation. Of course, we have made an effort as a national team and as players. We asked our supporters to stop saying that, even if we don't think that they are saying that to offend anybody, there are much worse words in soccer than that. But we understand how FIFA sees it. We are happy that they have stopped shouting that." MEDIA NEWS CONFERENCE CLOSING
- Embargoed: 7th July 2017 18:23
- Keywords: Russia Confederations Cup Mexico v Russia Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio
- Location: KAZAN, RUSSIA
- City: KAZAN, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0016MI020V
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio said on Friday (June 23) his side has an 'amazing opportunity' to show their talents against host country Russia in the Confederations Cup.
Mexico achieved a 2-2 draw against Euro 2016 winners Portugal in Kazan in their opening match on Sunday (June 18) and went on to beat New Zealand 2-1 in Sochi on Wednesday (June 21).
Mexico stand as Group A leaders with four points, ahead of Portugal on goal difference. Hosts Russia are in third with three points.
Mexico will play Russia on Saturday (June 24).
Speaking about Mexico team fans' 'insulting chants' and the FIFA's warning, midfielder Andres Guardado said they understand FIFA's position.
World soccer governing body FIFA said on Tuesday (June 20) it had warned Mexico over what it said were "insulting and discriminatory" chants during their first Confederations Cup match in Russia.
The incident occurred on Sunday at Mexico's 2-2 draw against Portugal in Kazan, FIFA said in a statement, just days after it announced stricter measures to crack down on fans' behavior at the tournament including allowing referees to stop matches.
FIFA has already fined Mexico for fans' homophobic chants during its qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup.
Mexican players last year launched their own campaign against homophobic slurs during matches. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None