FIFA fine Spain and order partial stadium closure over Islamophobic chanting at Egypt friendly

FIFA have fined Spain $20,000 (£15,000) and ordered a partial stadium closure after Islamophobic chanting broke out during their international friendly against Egypt in March, with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) now facing two separate sanctions from world football’s governing body.

The chants were heard during the first half and again at the start of the second period, with a section of supporters reportedly singing: “Bote, bote, bote, musulman el que no bote” — which translates as “Jump, jump, jump, whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim.” An anti-discrimination message was displayed on the stadium scoreboard during the match, condemning what was described as “Islamophobic and xenophobic” behaviour.

As part of its ruling, FIFA has ordered Spain to close 15% of the stadium for their next friendly fixture, though subject to FIFA approval, the affected seats could still be occupied by community or special-interest groups, including families, students, and anti-discrimination organisations.

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente was among the first to speak out after the incident. “I am repulsed by and absolutely reject any form of xenophobia or racism — it’s completely intolerable,” he said. “Those [chanting] are a disgrace and the majority [inside the stadium] whistled them. There’s nothing else to say. They are not representative of football.”

Spain forward Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim, also criticised those involved, branding them “ignorant and racist.” The Egyptian Football Association described the chanting as a “repugnant act of racism.”

The RFEF reiterated its own position in a statement on social media: “The RFEF stands against racism in football and condemns any act of violence inside stadiums.”

The sanctions come at a sensitive time for Spain, who won the 2024 UEFA European Championship and remain one of the world’s top-ranked international sides. FIFA’s disciplinary proceedings were launched against the RFEF shortly after the March friendly, and the governing body’s dual punishment signals a firm stance on discriminatory conduct at international fixtures.