Spain have been ordered to close 15% of their stadium for their next international friendly and fined $20,000 by FIFA after supporters directed anti-Muslim chants at Egypt during a goalless draw on March 31.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee imposed the sanctions after ruling that the chants at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona amounted to discriminatory conduct. The committee rejected the Spanish Football Association’s (RFEF) argument that the incident did not constitute such behaviour.
The chants were heard around the 10th minute of the first half and again at the start of the second half. Stadium officials responded by displaying anti-discrimination messages on the big screen, but sections of the crowd reacted with whistles.
FIFA subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings against the RFEF over what it described as Islamophobic and xenophobic chanting.
The Spanish association argued that the chants did not amount to discriminatory conduct. However, FIFA dismissed the argument, noting that the RFEF could not convincingly claim the chants were harmless while also responding with anti-discrimination measures.
Under the sanctions, Spain must leave 15% of the stadium’s capacity unused, mainly in the stands behind the goals, when they next host an international friendly.
FIFA has allowed the possibility of those seats being occupied by approved community groups, including families, students and anti-discrimination organisations, subject to its approval.
Spain could serve the punishment in June. However, if they qualify for the Nations League finals, the sanction will be postponed until an available date during next autumn’s Euro 2028 qualifying campaign.
Following the incident, the RFEF condemned the anti-Muslim chants, while Spain coach Luis de la Fuente described them as “intolerable”.
De la Fuente warned that football must not become a platform for discrimination, saying violent people use the sport to create space for themselves.
The Egyptian Football Association also condemned the incident, describing it as a repugnant act of racism. However, it stressed that the actions of a small group of supporters would not damage the longstanding relationship between the Spanish and Egyptian football associations.
