Spain ordered to close part of stadium after anti-Muslim chants
Spain will play its next international friendly with 15% of the stadium closed after home fans aimed a discriminatory chant about Muslims at Egypt during a match in March.
FIFA, world football's governing body, announced the sanction after opening disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish Football Association, known as the RFEF. Spain were also fined $20,000 (£15,000), BBC Sport reported.
The incident happened on 31 March at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona. Spain and Egypt drew 0-0 in a friendly, a non-competitive international played outside tournaments and qualifying.
International breaks often bring friendlies like this between major tournaments. Coaches use them to test new players and shapes, with the result mattering less than the workout. A friendly still counts as a full international, with FIFA's disciplinary rules applying in the same way as a qualifier.
Home supporters were heard chanting around the 10th minute of the first half. They were heard again at the start of the second half.
FIFA described the chanting as "Islamophobic and xenophobic". Staff at the ground put an anti-discrimination warning on the stadium screen. The message was repeated early in the second half when the chanting returned.
The closure will fall mainly on the stands behind the goals. Those are often the loudest sections, where drums, flags and organised chanting sit. It will leave a visible gap.
Spain will not have to leave every seat empty. FIFA said the closed seats can be offered to families, students and anti-discrimination organisations. Any plan needs FIFA approval first.
The Egyptian Football Association condemned the chanting as an unacceptable "repugnant act of racism". The RFEF condemned the anti-Muslim chants. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente called them "intolerable".
The Spanish federation argued the chants did not amount to discriminatory conduct. FIFA's disciplinary committee rejected that defence and confirmed the punishment.
For newcomers to football, a partial closure is one of FIFA's standard answers to discrimination cases. A fine lands on the federation. An empty stand sends the message to the stands.
What makes this stand out is how quickly the condemnation came from both federations. Egypt spoke for its players and supporters. Spain's own federation and coach did the same. The disagreement was only over whether the rules had been broken.
For fans, this means a quieter end behind the goal next time Spain play a friendly at home. Young fans and community groups may take those places instead. That change is the point. The next friendly will look different, even if the football is the same.
Football works because ninety minutes give strangers something to share. That shared feeling fades fast when part of the crowd is targeted.
