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World Cup winner Spain has been fined 20,000 US dollars by FIFA for chanting anti-Muslim slogans by fans during a friendly match against Egypt in Barcelona.
FIFA said on Friday that the ruling was upheld by its appeals body in recent days, following an initial ruling by three disciplinary judges.
The song was played at a game on March 31 and was later condemned as “disrespectful and intolerable” by Spanish star Lamine Yamal, who is a Muslim.
Yamal wrote on Instagram in April: “Using religion as a mockery in the square makes you look ignorant and racist.” The “Barcelona” winger was not the direct target of the insult.
FIFA disciplinary judges were quick to react and condemn the incident, writing in their decision that “severe sanctions are necessary”, noting that this was the first offense for the Spanish football federation.
World soccer’s governing body ordered the federation to pay $20,000 and imposed crowd measures at the team’s next home friendly. It is expected to happen in June 2027 or March 2028.
15% of the seats in Spain’s home stadium must be closed or filled by special interest groups “such as families, students and anti-discrimination organisations”.
FIFA’s decision states that the chant was heard in the 10th and 47th minutes of the 0-0 draw at Espanyol’s stadium.
The referees praised Spanish officials for taking “preventive measures” before the game, “fully cooperating with the match officials and relevant authorities”, publicly condemned the chanting and sought to identify the fans responsible.