The Spanish sports newspaper Marca has published an editorial calling for clubs whose fans whistle the Spanish national anthem to be expelled from the Copa del Rey for one year.
The proposal appeared in an editorial piece following the latest Copa del Rey final, where the anthem was again met with whistles from sections of the crowd. Marca argues that such actions constitute a lack of respect for national symbols and should be met with sporting sanctions.
In its editorial, Marca references Law 39/1981 of October 28, which regulates the use of the Spanish flag and other national symbols. The newspaper states that this law includes penalties for “ultraje a la bandera nacional” (disrespect to the national flag).
The article notes that while whistling the anthem is a recurring occurrence at certain high-profile matches in Spain, Marca views it as a political act infiltrating sports and believes sports newspapers should not endorse political campaigns that restrict freedom of expression.
The editorial also makes an unverified comparison to legal penalties in China, claiming individuals could face up to ten years in prison for vaguely defined offenses such as “seeking trouble.” This specific claim about Chinese law cannot be verified from the provided sources and is presented as part of the editorial’s commentary.
Marca further suggests that authorities could go even further, referencing the historical term “zidan fei” in a satirical manner, implying immediate execution and billing families for bullets—a clear rhetorical device not meant as a literal proposal.
The piece concludes by criticizing what it sees as the growing influence of authoritarianism in sports discourse, particularly when tied to figures like Florentino Pérez, and laments that a sports newspaper is promoting a political ban on an act protected by freedom of expression.
The Copa del Rey final referenced in the editorial took place on April 18, 2026, at the Estadio Olímpico de Sevilla, where Real Betis defeated FC Barcelona 2-1 in extra time to win the trophy.
As of now, no official body such as the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) or the Copa del Rey organizing committee has adopted or responded to Marca’s proposal for automatic expulsion based on fan behavior during the anthem.
The debate over whistling the Spanish national anthem at sporting events continues, with previous legal rulings, including a 2009 Audiencia Nacional determination, stating that such actions do not constitute incitement to national hatred or a criminal offense under current interpretations of the law.
Fans and observers are advised to follow official communications from the RFEF and LaLiga for any future updates on stadium conduct policies or disciplinary frameworks related to national symbols.
Stay tuned to Archysport for ongoing coverage of the Copa del Rey and developments in Spanish football governance.
