Spain Sanctioned by FIFA After Islamophobic Chants At Egypt Friendly

Spain fined by FIFA following repeated Islamophobic chants at Espanyol stadium during friendly with Egypt.

Published On 16 Oct 202616 Oct 2026

Spain has been fined $20,000 and ordered to partially close its stadium for its next friendly after supporters repeatedly chanted Islamophobic slogans during a match against Egypt in March, FIFA announced in a statement.

The sanctions concern incidents at the RCDE Stadium near Barcelona, home to LaLiga club Espanyol, where some viewers chanted “Who doesn’t jump is a Muslim” during a World Cup warm‑up tie that ended in a 0‑0 draw.

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Following the second occurrence of the chant, the stadium announcer issued a warning and the scoreboard displayed a message condemning discriminatory behaviour.

Spain winger Lamine Yamal, a Muslim player, condemned the chants at the time, labelling them disrespectful and intolerable and accusing those responsible of being ignorant and racist.

Spanish police launched an investigation the next day, while the sportifying body FIFA subsequently began disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish football federation (RFEF).

FIFA argued that the term “Muslim” was neither insulting nor pejorative, maintaining that the fans’ conduct should be judged under Article 17, which addresses political, ideological, religious, or offensive messages, rather than Article 15, which concerns discrimination and racist abuse.

FIFA’s disciplinary committee refused that rationale, asserting that Article 15 does not require the explicit use of a slur and that a term becomes discriminatory when used “as an insult, taunt, or marker of inferiority” within the appropriate context.

As a consequence, FIFA fined the RFEF and mandated a minimum reduction of 15 % of available seats for Spain’s upcoming friendly. Al Jazeera has requested comments from the federation.

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