Barcelona’s RCDE Stadium is at the centre of a FIFA disciplinary ruling after discriminatory chants were directed at Egypt during Spain’s March international friendly. The Spanish Football Federation has been fined US$20,000, around R$101,000, and must close part of the stands for Spain’s next home friendly.
The news from the club
FIFA reached its decision in August, but the sanction became public only after Spain’s appeal was rejected. The case concerns the 0-0 draw between Spain and Egypt on 31 March, played in Barcelona as part of both sides’ preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
Before kick-off, sections of the home support booed the Egyptian national anthem. During the match, some spectators also sang a chant using Islam as an insult towards the visiting team.
The stadium’s anti-racism procedure was activated while the game was in progress. An announcement over the public-address system instructed those responsible to stop, and the incidents were included in the official match report before FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings.
The episode drew international attention because of the religiously discriminatory nature of the chanting. Spain forward Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim and played in the fixture, publicly criticised the behaviour afterwards.
Yamal said he understood that the chant had been aimed at Egypt rather than at him personally, but argued that it remained deeply disrespectful to Muslims. He added that treating a religion as football provocation reflected ignorance and racism, while stressing that the conduct did not represent every supporter in the stadium.
The next home friendly
Spain will now have to implement a partial stadium closure when they next host a friendly, alongside paying the financial penalty imposed by FIFA.
