FIFA has ordered Spain to partially close its stadium for its upcoming home friendly following reports of anti-Muslim chants during a recent match. At least 15% of the available seats must remain closed during the fixture, according to FIFA.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) was fined $20,000 by the governing body for the incident. The federation may allocate the affected seats to special-interest groups or community organisations.
Any proposed plan for the seating must include visible anti-discrimination measures and be submitted to FIFA at least 15 days before the match. Spain played a goalless friendly against Egypt on 31 March at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.
A group of Spanish supporters resorted to discriminatory chants targeting Muslims during the first half and shortly after the second half began. FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings over Islamophobic and xenophobic conduct.
The RFEF argued that the chant did not constitute discrimination and that the word "Muslim" was not inherently insulting. FIFA's Disciplinary Committee stated the federation could not "persuasively maintain both that the chant was entirely harmless and that it warranted activation of anti-discrimination measures."
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente described the incident as "intolerable". Lamine Yamal stated that using religion as a taunt was disrespectful and racist.
The Egyptian Football Association called the incident a repugnant act of racism. The sanction applies only to Spain's next home friendly, not a competitive fixture.
