Phil Neville Condemns Homophobic Chants After Leagues Cup Match

Portland Timbers head coach Phil Neville has condemned repeated homophobic chants directed from opposing supporters during a recent Leagues Cup match, saying there is “absolutely no room for discrimination on a football field” and urging stronger enforcement to protect players and fans.

Neville’s comments followed a Timbers fixture in the Leagues Cup in which some Club América supporters engaged in a homophobic chant, a practice soccer governing bodies have worked to eradicate for years with escalating sanctions and ejections.

In a widely shared clip, Neville addressed the abuse and affirmed the club’s stance against anti-LGBTQ+ language, echoing league policies that prohibit discriminatory behavior inside venues.

The incident arrives amid a broader push across North American soccer to stamp out the chant, which has surfaced periodically at club and international matches. MLS clubs and the league have implemented a combination of public-address warnings, stadium bans, and supporter education campaigns to deter discriminatory behavior and protect LGBTQ+ communities that are part of the sport’s fabric.

Advocates say the chant is harmful and creates unsafe environments, particularly for LGBTQ+ fans and players. Neville’s decision to speak out publicly aligns with calls from equality organizations for visible leadership from coaches and teams when abuse occurs. While clubs have often relied on security protocols and in-stadium messaging, campaigners argue that consistent consequences—such as removing offenders and, if necessary, pausing matches—are critical to ending the practice.

Beyond individual matches, Major League Soccer has highlighted anti-discrimination commitments and has supported club-level initiatives aimed at inclusive supporter culture. Recent reporting on league newcomers has emphasized proactive steps to discourage the chant, including pre-match education and collaboration with supporter groups to uphold codes of conduct.

Neville’s message resonates with many LGBTQ+ fans who have long called for consistent accountability in stadiums. Visibility from high-profile figures can reinforce that anti-LGBTQ+ abuse is not a cultural quirk but a violation of basic dignity with real-world consequences for transgender people, lesbians, gay men, bisexual people, and all queer and nonbinary supporters who deserve to enjoy the game without fear of harassment.

While progress has been uneven, several North American clubs have demonstrated that clear policies and swift interventions can curb abusive chanting. Public-address alerts that warn of ejections, along with steward training and coordinated messaging with supporters’ groups, have shown promise in reducing incidents over time. Continued, visible enforcement—paired with education—remains essential to ensure LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts translate into safer matchday experiences.

Neville’s stance also comes at a time when soccer’s governing bodies face scrutiny for how they enforce anti-discrimination protocols at tournaments. Advocates note that consistent application of policies—issuing in-stadium warnings, pausing games if abuse persists, and identifying individuals for removal—can set precedents that deter repeat offenses. Coaches’ post-match statements, like Neville’s, can amplify these expectations and pressure organizers to act decisively.

For LGBTQ+ supporters who have helped build vibrant, inclusive cultures in cities across the United States and Mexico, the message is straightforward: the sport must be safe and welcoming for everyone in attendance. Neville’s condemnation contributes to growing consensus among players, staff, and many supporter groups that discriminatory chants cannot be normalized as part of matchday atmosphere.

As leagues, clubs, and supporters continue to tackle abusive behavior, the immediate tests will be in the next fixtures: whether security teams, public-address protocols, and disciplinary frameworks are applied consistently; whether coaches and players keep speaking out; and whether the game continues moving toward matchday environments where LGBTQ+ fans and families are celebrated rather than targeted. Neville’s remarks add urgency to these efforts and underscore a principle that many inside the sport have embraced—that football belongs to everyone.