Beer, burgers as US-Mexico fans mix ahead of World Cup qualifier clash

COLUMBUS, USA – Fans of the United States and Mexico national teams gathered ahead of Friday’s, November 11 (Saturday in Manila) World Cup qualifier, just 3 days after Donald Trump was elected president, with supporters insisting the game will pass without incident.

Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric surrounding the issue of illegal immigration from Mexico has raised concerns the game may be given a political edge but there appeared little sign of tension before match.

Fans of both teams gathered in the parking lots to enjoy a traditional ‘tailgate’ party, drinking beer and grilling food – hot dogs and burgers for US fans and tacos for the visitors.

“When it comes to soccer, football. People come to a game to put all the other stuff away for 90 minutes. I anticipate that is how it is going to be here tonight – that is certainly why we are here,” said Eric Belmonte, who had driven from Louisville, Kentucky with friends.

Although the US chooses to play at the relatively small, 24,000-capacity stadium of Columbus Crew, in order to enjoy home advantage in an area without a large Mexican community, there were plenty of fans of El Tri present.

“We were driving here and saw a car from Texas full of Mexican fans who had driven all the way here and I like that,” said Belmonte.

Some Mexican fans were drinking with friends supporting the US and insisted there was nothing political about the atmosphere.

‘Soccer is different’

“I think soccer is different it separates politics from everything else,” said Javier Lopez.

The main US supporters group – ‘The American Outlaws’ – issued a statement calling on its expected 8,000 hardcore fans to abide by their anti-racism policies.

“What we ask of each and every one of those in our sections and at our events is not much; just basic human decency: no racism, no sexism, no homophobia, no discrimination, no physical or verbal attacks. It’s pretty simple. Follow this and you’re welcome in our sections and at our events,” the statement read.

“We will not tolerate any member or guest who cannot abide by what we’ve laid out in our Code of Conduct. Any one in violation….will be subject to removal from our section and the stadium.”

An Outlaws twitter account had strongly condemned one fan asking on the social media site if it would be permitted to chant “build that wall” if a free-kick was awarded – a clear reference to Trump’s policy of constructing a border wall.

American players had spent the week expressing confidence that fans would behave respectfully and Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio had also said the game should have nothing to do with politics.

Mexico striker Javier Hernandez had conceded however that a victory would be extra sweet in the circumstances.

“There are moments that are not so nice for some people. And (the election) wasn’t the best for Latinos and all of us, but life goes on,” Hernandez told the Spanish language Univision network.

“Sadly, that was the decision that the country took. If our game can give (them) some joy and take away the sadness they are going through, well good then,” he said.

The two teams have met 4 times previously in World Cup qualifiers with the US winning, remarkably, 2-0 on all 4 occasions. – Simon Evans, Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com