FIFA sanctions Spanish federation after discriminatory chants

FIFA has sanctioned the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) after discriminatory chants during the friendly between Spain and Egypt, played on 31 March at RCDE Stadium in Cornellà. The Spanish federation will also face a partial stadium closure at its next match organised by FIFA, Sky News reports.

The British outlet reports a fine of 20,000 dollars and the closure of 15% of the stadium’s capacity for that next fixture. The sanction follows an investigation by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee into incidents at the match, which ended 0-0.

Some spectators had chanted « Muslim is the one who doesn’t jump », according to the incidents recorded in the referee’s report. The events had prompted disciplinary proceedings to be opened several months earlier.

The RFEF, head coach Luis de la Fuente and several Spanish institutions had condemned the incidents. FIFA’s sanction now adds a disciplinary consequence, with a measure that will affect the Spanish federation’s next international fixture organised by FIFA.