FIFA fines Spain $20,000 and orders partial stadium closure over Islamophobic chants

Mixed · 2FIFA has fined Spain $20,000 and ordered a partial stadium closure for the team's next friendly, after supporters twice chanted Islamophobic slogans during a game against Egypt in March, according to a FIFA statement. 1 2 Mixed · 2The sanctions relate to the RCDE Stadium near Barcelona, home of LaLiga club Espanyol, where some Spain fans chanted "Who doesn't jump is a Muslim" during a World Cup warm-up match that ended 0-0. 1 2 Mixed · 2After the second occurrence of the chant, the stadium announcer issued a warning and the scoreboard displayed a message against discriminatory behaviour. 1 2

Mixed · 2Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim, condemned the chants at the time as disrespectful and intolerable and called those responsible "ignorant and racist". 1 2 Mixed · 2Spanish police launched an investigation the following day, and FIFA later opened disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish football federation (RFEF). 1 2 Mixed · 2The RFEF argued that the word "Muslim" was "neither insulting nor pejorative" and that the fans' conduct should fall under FIFA's Article 17, covering political, ideological, religious or offensive messages, rather than Article 15, which deals with discrimination and racist abuse. 1 2

Mixed · 2FIFA's disciplinary committee rejected that argument, saying Article 15 does not require the explicit use of a slur and that a term can be discriminatory when used in context as "an insult, taunt, or marker of inferiority". 1 2 Mixed · 2The fine was imposed on the RFEF, and at least 15% of available seats must be closed for Spain's next friendly. Both outlets said they had contacted the RFEF for comment; no response was reported. 1 2