FIFA fines Spain $20,000 and orders partial stadium closure over Islamophobic chants

FIFA has fined the Spanish football federation (RFEF) $20,000 and ordered a partial stadium closure for Spain's next friendly, after supporters twice chanted Islamophobic slogans during a March match against Egypt.

The chants happened at the RCDE Stadium near Barcelona, the home ground of LaLiga club Espanyol, which staged the World Cup warm-up. The match ended 0-0. Some Spain fans chanted, "Who doesn't jump is a Muslim."

After the chant was heard a second time, the stadium announcer issued a warning and the scoreboard displayed a message against discriminatory behaviour.

Yamal condemns the chants

Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim, condemned the chants at the time, describing them as disrespectful and intolerable and calling those responsible "ignorant and racist."

Spanish police launched an investigation the following day, and FIFA later opened disciplinary proceedings against the RFEF.

The federation argued that the word "Muslim" was "neither insulting nor pejorative," and said the fans' conduct should be assessed under Article 17 of FIFA's rules, which covers political, ideological, religious or offensive messages, rather than Article 15, which deals with discrimination and racist abuse.

Disciplinary committee rejects federation's argument

FIFA's disciplinary committee rejected that position. It said Article 15 does not require the explicit use of a slur, and that a term can be discriminatory when used in context as "an insult, taunt, or marker of inferiority."

Alongside the fine, FIFA ordered the closure of at least 15% of available seats for Spain's next friendly.

Al Jazeera said it had contacted the RFEF for comment.

Source: Al Jazeera.