Spain handed partial stadium closure after discriminatory chants against Egypt

Spain must play their next international friendly with 15% of the stadium closed after supporters directed discriminatory chants at Muslims during a match against Egypt on 31 March.

Fifa has also fined the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) $20,000 (£15,000) following the incident, which occurred at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.

The chants were heard around the 10th minute of the first half and again at the start of the second half. An anti-discrimination warning was displayed on the stadium screens on both occasions, prompting whistles from some sections of the crowd.

The decision follows disciplinary proceedings opened by Fifa over what it described as "Islamophobic and xenophobic" chants during the goalless draw between the two national teams.

Spain's football authorities condemned the behaviour after the match, with national team coach Luis de la Fuente describing the chants as "intolerable".

However, the RFEF disputed the allegation of discriminatory conduct during the disciplinary process. Fifa's disciplinary committee rejected that position, arguing that the federation could not convincingly claim the chants were harmless while also activating anti-discrimination measures in response.

Under the sanction, Spain must leave 15% of the stadium capacity unused for their next friendly match. The affected sections must be located primarily behind the goals.

Fifa has also indicated that, subject to its approval, the otherwise empty seats may be occupied by community groups or organisations with a special interest in combating discrimination. These could include families, students and anti-discrimination organisations.

The timing of the punishment will depend on Spain's international schedule. Their next possible friendly date is in June, but the sanction could be postponed if they qualify for the Nations League finals. In that case, it would be applied on one of the available dates during the Euro 2028 qualifying campaign next autumn.

The disciplinary case was opened after the chants were heard during Spain's meeting with Egypt in Barcelona.

Following the incident, an anti-discrimination message was displayed on the stadium screen to warn supporters against such behaviour. The message was repeated early in the second half, with some spectators responding by whistling.

The RFEF publicly condemned the anti-Muslim chants, but its arguments during the disciplinary proceedings differed from the position taken immediately after the match.

In its written reasoning, Fifa said the Spanish federation had argued that the chants did not amount to discriminatory conduct.

The disciplinary committee rejected that argument, stating that the RFEF could not "persuasively maintain both that the chant was entirely harmless and that it warranted activation of anti-discrimination measures".

The ruling requires Spain to take a visible measure at their next friendly by restricting access to part of the stadium, alongside the financial penalty.

The use of the affected seats for approved community or special interest groups could allow the federation to promote an anti-discrimination message while complying with the sanction.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente criticised the behaviour after the match, describing the chants as "intolerable".

He also said "violent people use football to carve out a space for themselves".

The RFEF's condemnation of the incident came amid wider criticism of the supporters responsible for the chants.

The case has now resulted in both a fine and a stadium restriction, with the federation required to implement the measures at a future international friendly unless the timing is affected by Spain's participation in the Nations League finals.

The Egyptian Football Association also criticised the chants following the 0-0 draw, describing them as an unacceptable "repugnant act of racism".

Despite its strong condemnation, the Egyptian federation said the behaviour of a small group of supporters would not damage the close relationship between the Spanish and Egyptian football authorities.

The disciplinary action means Spain will have to comply with Fifa's stadium restrictions at a future fixture, while the date on which the sanction is applied remains dependent on the national team's international commitments.