FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after anti-Muslim chants were heard during last week’s friendly match between Spain and Egypt.
Spanish fans chanted offensive slogans such as “If you don’t jump, you’re a Muslim” during the World Cup warm-up match at Espanyol’s stadium in Barcelona.
FIFA subsequently reviewed video evidence from the match and the reports of the referee, match commissioner, and on-site security team. As a result, it was decided to take action against the RFEF, with potential sanctions including fines and stadium closures.
A FIFA spokesperson told ESPN on Tuesday: “FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in connection with the incidents that occurred during the friendly match against Egypt.”
According to the newspaper AS, the sanctions are not expected to reach the level of a fan ban, and it is more likely that Spain will incur a hefty fine as a result of the incident.
Meanwhile, the Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan police) are also investigating anti-Muslim and xenophobic chants that occurred during the match.
