Spain punished by FIFA for Islamophobic chants during Egypt friendly

Spain sanctioned by FIFA aft incidents astatine Espanyol’s stadium successful Barcelona, which staged the affable with Egypt.

Spain person ‌‌‌‌been fined $20,000 and ordered to partially adjacent their stadium ⁠⁠⁠⁠for their ⁠⁠⁠⁠next affable aft supporters doubly chanted Islamophobic slogans during the crippled against Egypt successful March, FIFA said ⁠⁠⁠⁠in a statement.

The sanctions subordinate to incidents astatine the RCDE Stadium adjacent Barcelona, location of LaLiga nine Espanyol, ⁠⁠⁠⁠where immoderate Spain fans chanted, “Who doesn’t leap is simply a Muslim” during a World Cup warm-up lucifer which ended successful a 0-0 draw.

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After the 2nd occurrence of the chant, the stadium announcer ‌‌‌‌issued a informing and the scoreboard displayed a connection against discriminatory behaviour.

Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim, condemned the chants astatine the time, describing them arsenic disrespectful and intolerable and calling those liable “ignorant and racist”.

Spanish constabulary launched an probe the pursuing day, portion satellite governing ⁠⁠⁠⁠body FIFA aboriginal started disciplinary proceedings against ⁠⁠⁠⁠the Spanish shot federation (RFEF).

It argued that the connection ‘Muslim’ was “neither insulting nor pejorative”, adding that the fans’ behaviour should beryllium assessed nether FIFA’s Article 17, ⁠⁠⁠⁠which covers political, ideological, spiritual oregon violative messages, alternatively than Article 15, which deals ⁠⁠⁠⁠with favoritism and racist abuse.

However, FIFA’s disciplinary ⁠⁠⁠⁠committee rejected that argument, saying Article 15 does not necessitate the explicit usage of a slur and that a word tin beryllium discriminatory erstwhile ‌‌‌‌used successful discourse arsenic “an insult, taunt, oregon marker of inferiority”.

FIFA fined the RFEF and ordered the closure of astatine slightest ‌‌‌‌15% ‌‌‌‌of disposable seats for Spain’s adjacent friendly.

Al Jazeera has contacted the RFEF for comment.