The key facts

  • FIFA requires at least 15% of seats, mainly behind the goals, to be closed and fined the RFEF $20,000
  • The sanction relates to fan chants during the Spain — Egypt friendly (0:0) on March 31 in Barcelona
  • The RFEF may, in agreement with FIFA, allocate the seats to families, students and anti-discrimination organizations

FIFA decision

FIFA has ruled that at Spain's next home friendly match at least 15% of available seats must remain closed, primarily in the stands behind the goals. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has also been fined $20,000. With FIFA's approval, the federation may allocate the affected seats to public or special groups, including families, students and anti-discrimination organizations. The plan must include visible anti-discrimination measures and be submitted to FIFA at least 15 days before the match. The sanction applies only to the next home friendly match, not a competitive game; its enforcement may be postponed depending on the Nations League schedule and Euro 2028 qualifying.

Incident in Barcelona

The basis was the friendly match Spain — Egypt (0:0) on March 31 at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona. In the first half and shortly after the start of the second, a group of Spanish fans chanted discriminatory slogans directed at Muslims. An anti-discrimination warning appeared on the stadium screen, and an announcement was made calling for the chants to stop. At the start of the second half the warning was repeated, and part of the stands responded with whistles. FIFA then opened a disciplinary case, characterizing the behavior as Islamophobic and xenophobic.

Positions of the parties

The RFEF argued that the chant was not discrimination and that the word 'Muslim' is not offensive in itself. FIFA's disciplinary committee rejected this argument, noting that words harmless in themselves can become discriminatory when used to mock or demean religious identity. The committee noted that the federation cannot 'credibly claim simultaneously that the chant was entirely harmless and that it required the activation of anti-discrimination measures.' At the same time, FIFA acknowledged that Spanish officials introduced preventive measures, cooperated with the match administration, publicly condemned the incident and attempted to identify those involved.

Reaction

After the match, the RFEF condemned the chants. National team coach Luis de la Fuente called what happened 'unacceptable,' saying that aggressive-minded people use football as a platform. Winger Lamine Yamal, who practices Islam, also condemned the chants, calling the use of religion as mockery disrespectful and racist. The Egyptian Football Association described the chants as 'a disgusting act of racism,' emphasizing that the behavior of a small group would not harm relations between the two federations.