Rodri and Alvaro Morata have been charged by UEFA following their “Gibraltar is Spanish” chants at the Euro 2024 trophy celebration in Madrid

The UEFA has taken a strong stance by opening “disciplinary proceedings” against Spain captain Alvaro Morata and his team-mate Rodri following their controversial chanting of “Gibraltar is Spanish” during the celebrations of their Euro 2024 victory. This action came after the Gibraltar Football Association (GFA) lodged an official complaint with UEFA, which prompted the appointment of a disciplinary inspector to investigate the potential violation of UEFA disciplinary regulations.

Morata and Rodri have been charged with multiple offenses, including “general principles of conduct,” “violating the basic rules of decent conduct,” “using sporting events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature,” and “bringing the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute.” The UEFA Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) will deliberate on the matter and make a decision “in due course.”

The controversy revolves around Gibraltar, an enclave at Spain’s southern tip that has been under British rule since the 18th Century. Spain has persistently advocated for its return, leading to complex political tensions. The chanting occurred in Cibeles Square, Madrid, in front of a large crowd of Spain fans, as the players celebrated their 2-1 Euro 2024 final victory against England. Television footage captured Manchester City midfielder Rodri, 28, chanting “Gibraltar is Spanish” on stage, and later, AC Milan striker Morata, 31, encouraging the crowd to join in with the same chant.

The Gibraltar FA strongly denounced Spain’s conduct, highlighting the “extremely provocative and insulting nature of the celebrations around the Spanish Men’s national team winning Euro 2024.” They emphasized that such behavior has no place in football and called for appropriate action. It’s worth noting that Gibraltar has been a full member of UEFA since 2013, further underlining the significance of the incident in the footballing context.

The incident has sparked discussions surrounding the intersection of sports and geopolitics, prompting reflection on the responsibilities of athletes and teams in the international arena. UEFA’s handling of this case will likely set a precedent for addressing similar situations in the future, underscoring the impact of off-field actions on the broader football community.