Spain ordered to close 15% of stadium for next friendly over anti-Muslim chants against Egypt

Spain have been ordered to close 15% of their stadium for their next international friendly after supporters sang an anti-Muslim chant during a goalless draw against Egypt on 31 March.

Fifa’s Disciplinary Committee has also fined the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) $20,000 following the incident at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.

The discriminatory chants were heard around the 10th minute of the first half and again at the start of the second half, prompting stadium officials to display an anti-discrimination message on the big screen.

The warning was repeated after the break, drawing whistles from some sections of the crowd.

Fifa subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings against the RFEF over what it described as “Islamophobic and xenophobic” chants.

The Spanish FA condemned the incident, while national team coach Luis de la Fuente described the behaviour as “intolerable”.

De la Fuente also criticised individuals who use football to promote discrimination, saying “violent people use football to carve out a space for themselves”.

However, in its written response to the disciplinary proceedings, the RFEF argued that the chants did not constitute discriminatory conduct.

Fifa’s disciplinary committee rejected that position, noting that the Spanish FA could not “persuasively maintain both that the chant was entirely harmless and that it warranted activation of anti-discrimination measures”.

Under the sanction, Spain must ensure that 15% of the stadium is closed during their next friendly, with the affected sections primarily located behind the goals.

Fifa has, however, indicated that the closed areas could be occupied by community or special-interest groups, including families, students and anti-discrimination organisations, subject to its approval.

Spain’s next potential international friendly is scheduled for June. However, if they qualify for the Nations League finals, the punishment will be deferred until an available date during the Euro 2028 qualifying campaign next autumn.

Following the 0-0 draw, the Egyptian Football Association condemned the chants as an unacceptable “repugnant act of racism”.

It added, however, that the actions of a small group of supporters would not affect the strong relationship between the Spanish and Egyptian football federations.