FIFA Fines Spain $20k Over Anti-Muslim Chants in Egypt Match

World football governing body FIFA has fined the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) $20,000 and ordered a partial stadium closure after home supporters directed anti-Muslim chants at Egyptian players during an international friendly match in Barcelona.

The incident occurred at the RCDE Stadium during a World Cup warm-up match that ended in a goalless draw. According to match reports and official findings, sections of Spanish fans repeatedly shouted discriminatory slogans, prompting stadium announcers to display warning messages on electronic scoreboards urging supporters to stop.

Spain star winger Lamine Yamal publicly condemned the fans’ behavior shortly after the match, describing the chants as disrespectful and unacceptable.

Following a swift investigation, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee ruled that the Spanish federation breached Article 15 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which strictly forbids discriminatory and xenophobic behavior. Along with the $20,000 fine, Spain will be forced to close at least 15 percent of its stadium capacity during its next home international friendly match.

In its legal defense, the Spanish federation argued that the chants were political rather than discriminatory, seeking a lesser penalty under Article 17 of the disciplinary framework.

However, FIFA firmly rejected the appeal, stating that the chants carried clear discriminatory intent and noting that the Spanish federation could not claim the slogans were harmless while simultaneously broadcasting in-stadium warning messages.