FIFA sanctions the Spanish Football Federation after anti-Muslim chants during the match against Egypt

FIFA has sanctioned the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after some Spanish supporters chanted anti-Muslim slogans at the RCDE Stadium, Espanyol’s LaLiga home ground, during the friendly against Egypt, which ended in a draw.

The international governing body fined the RFEF and ordered at least 15% of the available seats to be closed for Spain’s next friendly. The measure follows chants of “Whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim.” The stadium announcer issued a warning, while a message condemning discriminatory behavior was displayed on the scoreboard.

Lamine Yamal condemned the chants, describing them as disrespectful and intolerable. The footballer called those responsible “ignorant and racist.” Spanish police opened an investigation the following day, and FIFA subsequently launched disciplinary proceedings against the RFEF.

The Spanish Federation argued that the term “Muslim” is not, in itself, insulting or derogatory and requested that the incident be assessed under Article 17 of FIFA’s regulations, concerning political, ideological, religious or offensive messages. The disciplinary committee rejected the argument and ruled that a term can become discriminatory when used as an insult, mockery or sign of inferiority, even without an explicit insult.