UEFA banned Rodri and Alvaro Morata for provocative Gibraltar chants

Spain national team star duo Rodri and Alvaro Morata have been handed a one-match ban after the Union of European Football Associations appointed committee—the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) found the duo guilty of violating UEFA’s basic ‘rules of decent conduct’ for their ‘Gibraltar is Spain’ chants. 

The incident in the viral clip happened during Spain’s European Championship 2024 triumph bus parade in Madrid last month. The Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Spain captain Morata were captured singing ‘It’s Spanish, Gibraltar is Spanish’ referring to the southernmost foreland — a British Overseas Territory. Consequently, Gibraltar FA lodged an official complaint to UEFA regarding the players’ act. 

The Gibraltar FA reflected on the decision of UEFA 

The Football Association of Gibraltar has lauded the decision of the European Football body in their official statement to maintain integrity and sportsmanship with no tolerance policy against the use of ‘sporting events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature’. 

The Gibraltar statement read: “The Gibraltar Football Association welcomes UEFA’s decision to impose a 1 match ban to Spanish national team players Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (Rodri) and Álvaro Morata further to the complaint filed by the GFA. The ban relates to their offensive and provocative chants against Gibraltar during the celebrations following Spain’s Euro 2024 victory.”

“The Gibraltar FA is pleased that UEFA has acknowledged the severity of this incident and has acted accordingly. This decision sends a clear message that football must remain a platform for promoting peace, understanding, and fair play, free from divisive and offensive actions such as the chants.” the statement added. 

Due to the decision, Rodri and Alvaro Morata will be missing the next game for Spain’s national team. However, it is believed that the pair might opt to challenge the judgment as per reports from Spanish media. 

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