Spain punished by FIFA over Islamophobic chants during friendly with Egypt
FIFA has sanctioned Spain after incidents during a friendly against Egypt in Barcelona. The match was held at Espanyol's stadium, and the punishment relates to Islamophobic chants.
FIFA, football's world governing body, has sanctioned Spain following incidents at a friendly between the Spanish and Egyptian national football teams. The match, which was not part of an official tournament, was played in Barcelona at the stadium of club Espanyol.
According to Al Jazeera, the punishment relates to Islamophobic chants heard during the game. FIFA's decision came after the events inside the stadium were reviewed.
The source does not say what form the sanction takes, how severe it is, or who was responsible for the chanting. It is also not known whether the Spanish football federation will appeal.
Friendlies are unofficial exhibition matches between national teams, but FIFA can still impose disciplinary measures over crowd behaviour at them. In this case the focus is on chants that were offensive towards Muslims and directed at the Egyptian side.
