Mexicans protest World Cup penalty decision in local elections

Mexicans are refusing to move on from the controversial penalty awarded to the Netherlands which knocked them out of the World Cup, with many registering their disapproval at the ballot box on Sunday.

Many Mexicans wrote "No fue penal" ("It was not a penalty") on ballot papers for regional elections in Nayarit and Coahuila, local media reported, rendering their votes invalid.

Mexico led the Netherlands in the last 16 of the World Cup until the 88th minute of their game in Fortaleza on June 29, until Wesley Sneijder equalized.

Arjen Robben then won a disputed injury-time penalty which Klaas-Jan Huntelaar converted to send Mexico out of the tournament.

The phrase "it was not a penalty" has become common among Mexicans with president Enrique Pena Nieto even using it in a recent speech given to the tourism industry. - Sapa-dpa