PANAMA - Panama will play its next home World Cup qualifying match without spectators as punishment for homophobic chanting by its fans during games last month, its football federation said today.
Besides that, sanction by world football's governing body FIFA, Panama will also have to pay a fine equivalent to about $54,000 (RM224, 532), the federation said.
So, Panama will play before empty stands when it hosts El Salvador on November 16 as part of CONCACAF games that will determine Qatar 2022 World Cup participants from North and Central America and the Caribbean.
The federation said Panama was being punished for "alleged homophobic chanting" by some of its fans during home games in September against Costa Rica and Mexico.
The federation said it "condemns any kind of discrimination, be it in football or any other setting."
However, the federation said it will appeal FIFA's decision. – AFP, October 16, 2021
