Spain fined by UEFA for late kick-off in England Nations League match

Spain have been fined 10,000 euros by UEFA after their Nations League match against England at Wembley started late.

The disciplinary action adds to the sanctions already imposed on the Spanish national team in connection with a separate friendly against Egypt.

UEFA’s disciplinary body ruled that Spain had breached Article 11, paragraph two, section Y, of its disciplinary regulations by delaying the start of the match against England.

The fixture was played at Wembley in September last year during the opening round of the qualifying stage for the Nations League.

The decision, reported by Mundo Deportivo, comes only weeks after FIFA punished Spain for incidents during their goalless friendly against Egypt in March.

FIFA ordered Spain to play their next international friendly behind closed doors in part of the stadium and imposed a fine of 20,000 dollars.

The sanction followed chants by a group of Spain supporters during the match, including the anti-Muslim slogan: “Whoever does not jump is Muslim.”

The Spanish Football Federation is considering whether to appeal the FIFA punishment.

France and Portugal also sanctioned

Spain were not the only national team punished over delays or conduct surrounding matches.

France were fined 10,000 euros after their match against Turkey on 25 September started late. France won the game 1-0, with Kylian Mbappe scoring the decisive goal.

UEFA also issued a warning to France manager Zinedine Zidane in connection with the incident.

Portugal were fined 20,000 euros for misconduct during their match against Norway on 27 September, which they won 2-1.

Portugal manager Jorge Jesus was warned for the late start of that match, completing the disciplinary measures taken by UEFA against the three teams.

The latest decision leaves Spain facing separate penalties from both European and world football’s governing bodies. Their previous FIFA punishment relates to the behaviour of supporters during the Egypt friendly, while the new UEFA fine concerns the timing of the England fixture.