MLS, Liga MX and NWSL teams unite against homophobia in soccer

Teams from Liga MX, Major League Soccer (MLS) and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), and others have formed a coalition to eliminate anti-gay abuse in soccer.

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Play Proud United will bring together Angel City FC, Chicago Fire, Philadelphia Union, San Diego Wave FC, and Tigres for a five-day residential training program in Los Angeles on April 11 under the auspices of the Common Goal soccer movement.

A second training is expected in December with Tigres as host, with the goal of making stadiums and the soccer community a safer place for the LGBTQ+ community.

Mexico has struggled with anti-gay chants

Anti-gay abuse has persisted in the sport and FIFA sanctioned the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) 12 times for anti-gay chants during its 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Liga MX in July last year said it would remove fans from stadiums for making anti-gay chants. A month later, a joint MLS-Liga MX All-Star Game was suspended due to anti-gay chants.

Play Proud works worldwide to prevent homophobia

In the Premier League, Everton condemned supporters for anti-gay chants against a Chelsea player in December, and in January, Adelaide United's Josh Cavallo denounced abuse he faced in a match against Melbourne Victory.

"We are focused on what the soccer industry has the potential to become, and we are creating tangible ways to facilitate this positive transformation," Play Proud founder Lilli Barrett-O'Keefe said in a statement.

Clubs will send travel delegations that include a team representative and a leader from their fan group, as well as a hometown "community" soccer coach.

"We have seen the evolution of LGBTQ+ visibility on the global and national stage and are excited to implement this innovative curriculum in our community," said Wave FC president Jill Ellis, who coached the U.S. to two World Cup titles.

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