Mexican Soccer Federation asks fans to boot anti-gay chants

Mexico soccer fans cheer during a 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Canada in Mexico City, Tuesday, March 29, 2016. The Mexican Soccer Federation launched a campaign Tuesday urging fans to refrain from anti-gay chants that drew fines from FIFA earlier this year. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) (The Associated Press)

Mexico fans shout anti-gay chants during a World Cup qualifying soccer match against Canada in Mexico City, Tuesday, March 29, 2016. Fans in Mexico are known for yelling a gay slur during kicks by opposing goalkeepers, something that gained global attention during the 2014 World Cup and prompted a FIFA disciplinary probe. (AP Photo/Christian Palma) (The Associated Press)

MEXICO CITY – The Mexican Soccer Federation has launched a campaign urging fans to refrain from anti-gay chants that drew fines from FIFA earlier this year.

The campaign called "Embraced by Soccer" consists of a couple of 30-second videos featuring popular national team stars such as forward Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, captain Rafael Marquez and Andres Guardado.

They were released hours before Mexico hosted Canada in a 2018 World Cup qualifier Tuesday. The federation says the clips aim to discourage "a practice that is contrary to respect and the dignity of people."

Mexico fans are known for yelling a gay slur during kicks by opposing goalkeepers, something that gained global attention during the 2014 World Cup.

In January FIFA fined Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay for what it called "insulting and discriminatory" chants.