Morata and Rodri hit with one-game ban by UEFA after Gibraltar chants

Spain captain Alvaro Morata and teammate Rodri have been handed one-game bans by UEFA following their controversial chants of “Gibraltar is Spanish” during their Euro 2024 victory celebrations. The incident took place in front of tens of thousands of fans in Cibeles Square, Madrid, on July 15, after Spain’s 2-1 victory over England in the Euro 2024 final.

Spain duo Alvaro Morata and Rodri have been banned for one game each by Uefa.#bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/UaVyrJ88Lf

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 7, 2024

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The Gibraltar Football Association (GFA) lodged an official complaint with UEFA, citing the provocative and insulting nature of the chants. UEFA charged Morata and Rodri with failing to comply with general principles of conduct, violating basic rules of decent conduct, using sporting events for non-sporting manifestations, and bringing the sport and UEFA into disrepute.

Both players are now suspended for Spain’s upcoming match against Serbia on Thursday, September 5.

Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of Spain, has been under British rule since the 18th century, and Spain has long sought its return. Gibraltar has been a full member of UEFA since 2013.

In their complaint, the Gibraltar FA emphasized that “football has no place for behaviour of this nature,” highlighting the offensive impact of the celebration chants.