FIFA orders stadium closure for Spain over anti-Muslim chants
FIFA has fined the Spanish football federation $20,000 and ordered at least 15% of the stadium seats to be closed for Spain’s next home friendly after supporters directed Islamophobic chants during a 0-0 draw against Egypt in March.
The sanctions follow incidents at the RCDE Stadium near Barcelona on March 31, when some Spanish fans chanted, “Who doesn’t jump is a Muslim,” during the World Cup warm-up match.
The stadium announcer issued warnings and messages against discriminatory behaviour were displayed on the scoreboard, but the chants were repeated.
FIFA subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings against the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
The federation argued that the word “Muslim” was neither insulting nor derogatory and that the incident should not be treated as discrimination.
However, FIFA’s disciplinary committee rejected the argument, ruling that words not offensive in isolation could become discriminatory when used to ridicule or demean a religious identity.
Under the sanction, the affected seats will primarily be in the stands behind the goals.
Subject to FIFA’s approval, the RFEF may allocate them to community groups, families, students and anti-discrimination organisations, provided visible anti-discrimination measures are included in its plan, which must be submitted at least 15 days before the match.
Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim, condemned the chants at the time, describing them as disrespectful and racist.
Coach Luis de la Fuente also called the incident intolerable, while the RFEF denounced the supporters’ behaviour.
The Egyptian Football Association described the chants as a “repugnant act of racism”, while stressing that the actions of a small group would not damage relations between the two federations.
The penalty applies to Spain’s next home friendly rather than a competitive fixture, although its implementation could be delayed depending on the team’s Nations League and Euro 2028 qualifying schedule.