FIFA fines Spain £15,000 and orders partial stadium closure over Islamophobic chants at Egypt friendly

FIFA has confirmed Spain's football federation is fined $20,000 (£15,000) after a section of fans chanted "the one who doesn't jump is a Muslim" during a 0-0 draw against Egypt in Barcelona on March 31. The ruling, upheld by FIFA's appeals body, also orders 15% of seats at Spain's next home friendly to be closed or filled with families, students and anti-discrimination groups. Spain star Lamine Yamal, a Muslim himself, called the chants "disrespectful and intolerable" in April. The next home friendly affected is likely to be in June 2027 or March 2028.

FIFA judges ruled the chant used religious identity "as a means of distinguishing and discriminating against the opposing side."

The Spanish federation tried to have the case thrown out, arguing "Muslim" is simply an accepted religious term rather than a slur.

Yamal wrote on Instagram: 'Using a religion as a taunt on the field makes you look ignorant and racist.'