Spain fined and stadium closed after Islamophobic chants v Egypt

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 14:39 · Archive

Spain must partially close their stadium and pay $20,000 after supporters chanted Islamophobic slogans during a friendly against Egypt in March.

Spain's football federation has been fined $20,000 by Fifa and ordered to close at least 15% of the stadium for their next friendly match. The punishment follows incidents during a World Cup warm-up friendly against Egypt on 31 March at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona, which ended 0-0.

Supporters chanted 'Who doesn't jump is a Muslim' around the 10th minute of the first half and again at the start of the second half. After the second occurrence, the stadium announcer issued a warning and a message against discriminatory behaviour was displayed on the scoreboard. Fifa subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish Football Association for what it termed 'Islamophobic and xenophobic' chants.

Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim, condemned the chants at the time, describing them as disrespectful and intolerable and calling those responsible 'ignorant and racist'. Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente called the chants 'intolerable' and said 'violent people use football to carve out a space for themselves'.

The Spanish Football Association argued that the word 'Muslim' was 'neither insulting nor pejorative' and that the fans' conduct should be assessed under Fifa's Article 17, which covers political, ideological and religious messages, rather than Article 15, which deals with discrimination and racist abuse. Fifa's disciplinary committee rejected this argument, stating that Article 15 does not require the explicit use of a slur and that a term can be discriminatory when used in context as 'an insult, taunt, or marker of inferiority'.

The stadium closure requirement of 15% can be implemented by closing stands behind the goals. Fifa has permitted Spain to potentially fill these seats with community groups and anti-discrimination organisations, subject to Fifa approval. Spain's next friendly is scheduled for June, though if they qualify for the Nations League finals, the punishment will be delayed until one of the empty dates during Euro 2028 qualifying in autumn.

How it is being reported

• Spain punished by Fifa for Islamophobic chants in Egypt friendlySpain’s governing body has been fined and told to close their stadium to supporters for their next friendlyIndependent Sport · 16 Oct, 14:21
• Spain punished by FIFA for Islamophobic chants during Egypt friendlySpain sanctioned by FIFA after incidents at Espanyol's stadium in Barcelona, which staged the friendly with Egypt.Al Jazeera · 16 Oct, 14:13
• Spain handed partial stadium closure after discriminatory chants v EgyptSpain must play their next international friendly with a partial stadium closure after supporters sang a discriminatory chant about Muslims multiple times during a game against Egypt on 31 March.BBC Sport · 16 Oct, 12:48

In this story: Spain · Egypt · Fifa · Lamine Yamal · Luis de la Fuente · Barcelona · Spanish Football Association

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