Spain captain Alvaro Morata and teammate Rodri have received a one-game ban from UEFA following their controversial chant of “Gibraltar is Spanish” during the Euro 2024 victory celebrations. The chanting occurred in Cibeles Square, Madrid, in front of tens of thousands of Spain fans as the players celebrated their 2-1 victory over England in the final.
The Gibraltar Football Association (GFA) lodged an official complaint with UEFA over the celebrations, leading to the charges against Morata and Rodri. UEFA has suspended the pair for “failing to comply with the general principles of conduct” and “bringing the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute.”
The ban means that Morata and Rodri will be absent for Spain’s upcoming game against Serbia on Thursday, 5th September. Notably, Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located at Spain’s southern tip, and the issue of its sovereignty has long been a point of contention between Spain and the UK.
The Gibraltar FA condemned the Spanish players’ behavior as “extremely provocative and insulting,” insisting that such behavior has no place in football. Gibraltar has been a full member of UEFA since 2013, and the incident has sparked controversy both on and off the pitch.
This event serves as a stark reminder of the broader political tensions that can intersect with international football, highlighting the need for players to act responsibly and respectfully in a sport that is followed by millions around the world.
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