FIFA fines Spain $20,000 and orders partial stadium closure over 'whoever doesn't jump is a Muslim' chants

FIFA sanctioned the Spanish Football Federation after fans chanted "whoever doesn't jump is a Muslim" during a World Cup warm-up friendly against Egypt in Barcelona on March 31. The RFEF must pay $20,000 and shut 15% of capacity at Spain's next home international friendly, primarily in the sections behind both goals. Lamine Yamal, a Muslim and one of Spain's leading players, condemned the chants as "disrespectful and intolerable", describing those responsible as "ignorant and racist people".

FIFA's disciplinary committee dismissed Spain's argument that the chants were not discriminatory, pointing out that the RFEF could not simultaneously activate anti-discrimination protocols inside the stadium while claiming the chants were harmless.

Luis de la Fuente labelled the chants "intolerable", adding that "violent people use football to create a space for themselves."

The punishment could be fulfilled as early as June 2027, though it will be pushed back to Euro 2028 qualifying should Spain advance to the Nations League finals.