FIFA has punished the Spanish Football Federation following anti-Islamic calls by a group of fans during the friendly match between Spain and Egypt, held in March, under preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
According to the BBC, Spain will have to develop its next friend with only 15 per cent of its closed stadium capacity, mainly in behind the gates, and pay a fine of $20 thousand.
The match between the two representatives ended with a score of 0:0, but was accompanied by discriminating calls from a part of Spanish fans who cheered the slogan “Who Doesn’t Dance is Muslim.”
In an effort to counteract such behavior, messages against discrimination appeared on stadium screens. However, part of the fans reacted by whistling.
The Spanish Football Federation publicly condemned the calls, while Spain’s selective Louis de la Fuente described them as unacceptable.
However, in the defence presented before FIFA, the federation argued the calls did not constitute discrimination behaviour. FIFA’s disciplinary committee rejected that claim and imposed punitive measures.
The Egyptian Football Federation also condemned the calls, naming them an unacceptable racist act.
Punishment comes under international football efforts to combat racism and discrimination in stadiums.
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Source Layer: Signal
