FIFA has fined the Spanish Football Federation $20,000 and ordered Spain to close at least 15 per cent of the stadium for its next friendly match following Islamophobic chants by some supporters during a game against Egypt.
The punishment was announced on Friday after the incident occurred during a goalless draw between Spain and Egypt at Barcelona’s RCDE Stadium on 31 March.
During the match, which was part of preparations for the World Cup, some Spanish supporters repeatedly chanted, “Who doesn’t jump is a Muslim.”
Following the second round of chanting, the stadium announcer warned the fans, while an anti-discrimination message appeared on the scoreboard.
The Spanish Football Federation, known as RFEF, condemned the behaviour at the time. Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, described the chants as “intolerable”.
Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who is a Muslim, also criticised the incident, describing it as disrespectful and racist.
However, the RFEF argued before FIFA that the word “Muslim” was not necessarily offensive or insulting. The federation maintained that the incident should be considered under regulations covering political, ideological or religious messages rather than rules against discrimination.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee rejected the argument, explaining that discriminatory language does not always require an explicit insult or slur.
According to the committee, a word or expression can become discriminatory when it is used to insult, mock or portray a group as inferior.
Under the sanctions, Spain must close at least 15 per cent of the available seats during its next friendly match. The affected areas will mainly be sections behind the goals.
However, FIFA may allow the restricted seats to be occupied by community groups and organisations working against discrimination. These could include families, students and special-interest groups, subject to the governing body’s approval.
The RFEF will also pay a $20,000 fine.
Spain’s next possible friendly is scheduled for June. However, the stadium restriction could be postponed until an available date during next autumn’s Euro 2028 qualifying campaign if Spain qualify for the Nations League finals.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s football association condemned the incident, describing the chants as a “repugnant act of racism”.
Despite its strong criticism, the Egyptian body said the conduct of a small number of Spanish supporters would not damage the relationship between the two countries’ football federations.