Spain football federation takes FIFA fine over Islamophobic chants to Court of Arbitration for Sport

MADRID: The Spanish football federation has decided to approach the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after FIFA rejected its appeal against sanctions imposed over anti-Muslim chants during a friendly match against Egypt.

According to foreign media, FIFA had fined the Spanish Football Federation $20,000. It had also ordered that at least 15 per cent of the seats in the stadium be kept closed for the next home friendly match.

The March incident

The incident took place in March at the RCDE Stadium near Barcelona, during a World Cup preparation match between Spain and Egypt, which ended in a goalless draw. During the match, some fans chanted slogans against Muslims, after which the stadium administration issued a warning.

Muslim footballer Lamine Yamal had also condemned the chants, calling them unacceptable.

The Spanish federation maintains that it took immediate action and cooperated fully with the authorities concerned. Calling the punishment harsh, the federation said effective steps had been taken to prevent such chants.

On the other hand, according to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, the discriminatory use of a word is not limited to clearly abusive terms, and its context also matters.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport will now decide the matter.