Spain’s Alvaro Morata and Rodri received one-match bans from UEFA for their participation in chanting “Gibraltar is Spanish” after their victory at Euro 2024. The incident, which took place in Cibeles Square, Madrid, on July 15, caused significant offense in Gibraltar. The chants were deemed “extremely provocative and insulting” by the Gibraltar FA, leading to their complaint to UEFA. The video clip of the incident showed Rodri grabbing the microphone and joining in the controversial chant in front of tens of thousands of Spanish fans.

This prompted UEFA to take action against both players, resulting in the one-match bans. The Gibraltar FA emphasized the provocative nature of the chants and their violation of international law. As a consequence, UEFA issued the bans in response to the complaint. It is important to note that this action by UEFA underscores the seriousness with which offensive behavior is treated in the world of sports.

The incident serves as a reminder of the responsibility that athletes and public figures carry in terms of their words and actions, especially when representing their countries on international platforms.