Spain must play their next international friendly with a partial stadium closure after supporters sang a discriminatory chant about Muslims during a game against Egypt on 31 March. A group of Spain home fans were heard chanting around the 10th minute of the first half, and once more at the beginning of the second half. An anti-discrimination message warning fans was displayed on the screen at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona, and was repeated early in the second half, leading to whistles from some sections of the crowd.
Fifa subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) for "Islamophobic and xenophobic" chants. The RFEF condemned the anti-Muslim chants, while Spain coach Luis de la Fuente called them "intolerable" and said "violent people use football to carve out a space for themselves."
In written reasons published by Fifa, the RFEF argued that the chants did not constitute discriminatory conduct. The disciplinary committee rejected that argument, noting the RFEF could not "persuasively maintain both that the chant was entirely harmless and that it warranted activation of anti-discrimination measures."
Spain must play their next friendly with 15% of the stadium closed off, though they may, subject to Fifa approval, fill the seats with community and special interest groups such as families, students and anti-discrimination organisations. The closure must be implemented primarily within the stands behind the goals. Fifa has also fined Spain $20,000 (£15,000). Spain's next potential friendly date is in June, but if they qualify for the Nations League finals, the punishment will be delayed until an empty date during Euro 2028 qualifying next autumn. Following the 0-0 draw, the Egyptian Football Association condemned the chants as a "repugnant act of racism" but said the acts of a small group would not affect relations between the two federations.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing