UEFA breaks silence after 'rancid' chants on Gibraltar by Spanish football stars

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Two football players from Spain’s male national team sparked outrage in Gibraltar after leading chants branded “rancid” by the government of the Rock.

By Alice Scarsi, World News Reporter

20:26, Fri, Jul 19, 2024 | UPDATED: 20:27, Fri, Jul 19, 2024

Alvaro Morata and Rodri led chants claiming Gibraltar ‘is Spanish’ (Image: GETTY)

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is in the process of appointing an official set to look into the conduct of two leading members of the male Spanish national team.

A spokesperson for the football governance body told Express.co.uk: “An UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector is being appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations by the players Rodrigo Hernández Cascante and Álvaro Morata in the context of conduct that occurred during the public presentation of the 2024 UEFA European Championship trophy in Madrid on 15 July 2024.”

They added further information regarding this issue would be “made available in due course”.

Gibraltar officials issued blistering remarks earlier this week after Manchester City player Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, known as Rodri, and Morata, the captain of Spain, led chants stating “Gibraltar is Spanish” while celebrating in Madrid the Spanish team’s victory in the EURO 2024 final against the Three Lions.

The Gibraltar Football Association announced the footballers’ remarks would be flagged to UEFA through an official complaint.

Rodri is a Manchester City player (Image: GETTY)

The organisation’s press release also read: “The Gibraltar FA has noted the extremely provocative and insulting nature of the celebrations around the Spanish Men’s National Team winning EURO 2024.

“The Association is this morning taking advice on the filing of a complaint to European Football’s governing body, UEFA, in relation to the unacceptable chanting and songs, relating to Gibraltar, sung by Spain’s Men’s National Team players after winning EURO 2024. Football has no place for behaviour of this nature.”

The Government of Gibraltar as well as the Rock’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo also slapped down Rodri and Morata’s remarks.

In its statement, the Gibraltar Government said: “His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar is disappointed to note that several players of the Spanish male national football team celebrated their European Cup win with chants of rancid remarks about Gibraltar.”

Fabian Picardo is Gibraltar’s Chief Minister (Image: GETTY)

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It continued: “This is a totally unnecessary mixing of a great sporting success with discriminatory political statements that are hugely offensive to Gibraltarians. The lamentable use of the platform of celebrations around winning the Eurocup for advancing the idea of usurping the territory of Gibraltar is contrary to the principle that sport should not be used to advance any politically controversial ideology.”

Upon sharing these official statements, Mr Picardo defiantly wrote on X the “Rock is ours” and pledged to support the Gibraltar Football Association’s decision to issue an official complaint.

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located on a narrow peninsula south of the Spanish city of La Línea. While Spain continues to assert a claim on the territory, the Rock was ceded to Britain in perpetuity in the 1700s.

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