Spain handed partial stadium closure following discriminatory chants
FIFA has sanctioned Spain with a partial stadium closure and a fine following Islamophobic chants during their friendly match against Egypt.
The Spanish Football Association (RFEF) has been hit with disciplinary sanctions by FIFA following a match against Egypt on 31 March. During the friendly, which ended in a 0-0 draw, sections of the home crowd were heard directing discriminatory, Islamophobic, and xenophobic chants towards the opposition.
Disciplinary consequences
"Violent people use football to carve out a space for themselves."
Luis de la Fuente
"Intolerable."
Luis de la Fuente
FIFA has ordered that 15% of the stadium must be closed for Spain's next international friendly, specifically targeting areas behind the goals. Additionally, the federation has been issued a $20,000 fine. While the RFEF attempted to argue that the chants were not discriminatory, the disciplinary committee rejected the defense, noting the contradiction in claiming the chants were harmless while simultaneously activating anti-discrimination measures.
The Egyptian Football Association condemned the incident as a "repugnant act of racism" but maintained that the actions of a small minority would not damage the relationship between the two nations. Depending on Spain's Nations League progress, the sanction will be served either in June or during the Euro 2028 qualifying campaign.
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