FIFA upholds punishment for anti-Muslim chants at Spain match

FIFA’s Appeal Committee has rejected an appeal by the Spanish Football Federation regarding sanctions following a friendly match against Egypt in Barcelona on March 31. The incident occurred at the RCDE Stadium during a goalless draw when some supporters repeatedly chanted, “Who doesn’t jump is a Muslim.” According to Daily Post Nigeria, the stadium announcer warned fans and an anti-discrimination message appeared on the scoreboard during the match.

The sanctions include a $20,000 fine and an order to close at least 15 per cent of the stadium for Spain's next friendly match, according to Daily Post Nigeria. The Spanish Football Federation, or RFEF, argued that the word “Muslim” was not necessarily offensive or insulting and that the incident should be classified under regulations for political, ideological, or religious messages rather than discrimination.

However, the committee rejected this, stating that discriminatory language does not always require an explicit slur.

Daily Post Nigeria reports that Spain's head coach, Luis de la Fuente, called the chants "intolerable," while winger Lamine Yamal described the incident as disrespectful and racist. Ajel English also characterized the chants as racist acts committed by Spanish fans.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria, Ajel English, Daily Post Nigeria, Winnipeg Free Press, Yahoo Sports — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.