FIFA Fines RFEF Over Anti-Muslim Chants at Egypt Match

La Fédération Royale Espagnole de Football (RFEF) faces a $20,000 fine and partial stadium closures after FIFA penalized the governing body for discriminatory chants directed at Muslims during an international friendly between Spain and Egypt, yabiladi.com reported. The fixture, which ended in a scoreless 0–0 draw, took place at the RCDE Stadium near Barcelona.

FIFA Sanctions RFEF Over Anti-Muslim Chants During Egypt Friendly

During the March 31 encounter, a section of the crowd chanted If you don’t jump, you are Muslim during the 10th and 47th minutes, according to the disciplinary findings. Foot Mercato noted that the fixture took place at the Cornellà-El Prat venue. Following the second round of chants, the stadium announcer issued an audio warning while an anti-discrimination message appeared on the electronic scoreboard. Despite these in-game interventions, FIFA held the RFEF accountable for spectator conduct.

The governing body’s disciplinary package includes a requirement to close at least 15% of seating capacity for Spain’s next home friendly fixture, or alternatively allocate those restricted spaces to specific community groups such as families, students, and anti-discrimination organizations. Yahoo Actualités reported that the affected seats will likely be located directly behind the goals. That fixture is currently projected to take place in June 2027 or March 2028, though the exact timeline depends on ongoing legal challenges.

Player Outrage and Government Condemnation in Spain

The chants triggered widespread backlash across Spain. Winger Lamine Yamal publicly condemned the supporters’ behavior, calling the episode disrespectful and intolerable. Using a religion as mockery makes you look ignorant and racist, Yamal wrote on Instagram in April, as detailed by yabiladi.com. Foot Mercato added that Pedro Sánchez labeled the incident unacceptable, while Pedri joined teammates in calling for the complete eradication of racism from football stadiums.

In the immediate aftermath of the fixture, Spanish police launched an investigation into the chants on April 1, while FIFA opened its own disciplinary proceedings. A representative for the RFEF stated that the federation cooperated fully with the competent authorities to identify those responsible and reinforced stadium security protocols following the match.

Legal Clash Over Article 15 and Article 17 Disciplinary Rules

The core dispute between FIFA and the RFEF centers on how the disciplinary regulations apply to religious references. In its defense before world football’s governing body, the RFEF argued that the term Muslim is neither inherently insulting nor pejorative. The federation maintained that the case should fall under Article 17 of FIFA’s disciplinary code—which governs political, ideological, religious, or offensive messages—rather than the stricter Article 15, which covers racism and discrimination.

La RFEF a fait valoir que l’incident devait être examiné sous l’article 17 plutôt que l’article 15, cette distinction formant la base de son recours. FIFA rejected the federation’s technical defense. The disciplinary committee ruled that discrimination does not require an explicit insult, noting that neutral terms can function as provocations, insults, or markers of inferiority depending on the context.

RFEF Escalates Legal Fight to the Court of Arbitration for Sport

After FIFA dismissed its internal appeal, the RFEF confirmed it will take the matter to the highest authority in sports law. Yahoo Actualités reported that Spanish football authorities officially filed to challenge the ruling before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). While the $20,000 fine remains a fixed component of the punishment, the federation continues to argue that the sanction is disproportionate.

The precise date for serving the stadium partial closure remains unconfirmed, pending the outcome of the CAS proceedings.

More on this story: FIFA penalizes Egypt for World Cup match fallout