Alvaro Morata and Rodri have both picked up a ban from UEFA after their controversial comments in the wake of their European Championship triumph.
Spain saw off England to win a record fourth European crown in Berlin last month, with goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal cancelling out Cole Palmer’s strike.
While English hearts were broken and celebrations were breaking out back in Spain, two of the nation’s leaders in the side in Rodri and captain Morata caught the headlines with comments about Gibraltar.
The pair were caught singing ‘Gibraltar is Spanish’, which prompted UEFA to open disciplinary proceedings against the pair after the Gibraltar FA lodged a formal complaint.
Both were then charged in late July, with UEFA’s disciplinary body possessing the power to hand down suspensions for both country and club European competitions simultaneously.
Rodri (fourth left) and Alvaro Morata (holding microphone) have picked up bans from UEFA
The pair had just helped Spain to victory over England in the final of the European Championship
Rodri was awarded the Player of the Tournament award after starring for Spain throughout the competition
Now, Uefa’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has banned the pair for one game after being deemed guilty of ‘failing to comply with the general principles of conduct, for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sporting events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute.’
Spain’s next match is the opening fixture of the Nations League away to Serbia on September 5.
The Gibraltar FA said it was ‘pleased’ UEFA had ‘acknowledged the severity of this incident’ and acted accordingly.
‘This decision sends a clear message that football must remain a platform for promoting peace, understanding, and fair play, free from divisive and offensive actions such as the chants,’ the Gibraltar FA added.
The peninsula of Gibraltar lies on the southern tip of Spain, though it is a British territory and has been since 1713, rejecting the opportunity to come under Spanish sovereignty on several occasions.
The Gibraltar FA described the comments from Morata and Rodri as ‘extremely provocative and insulting’.
‘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 statement read.
‘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.
The two Spanish stars played key roles throughout the tournament in Germany
Morata captained the team to their Euros victory, while Rodri was one of the stars of the finals
‘Football has no place for behaviour of this nature.’
Spain has long contested British sovereignty over Gibraltar, claiming that it should be part of Spain, but the UK has long maintained control over the area.
The disputes have led to tensions and incidents between Spanish and British vessels along both the sea and land border, with Britain’s exit from the EU adding more complexity to the situation.
These disputes have meant that Gibraltar’s national football team wasn’t accepted by UEFA until 2013, and by FIFA until 2018.
‘Spain has repeatedly asked the United Kingdom to enter into negotiations. The continued de facto occupation by the British does not meet the requirements of international law for the acquisition of sovereignty,’ the Spanish foreign ministry says on its website.
‘That is why Spain has always stressed that the occupation of the isthmus is illegal and contrary to international law and, therefore, has always demanded its unconditional return. Spain does not recognise the occupation of the isthmus or the fence as a border.’
It came as La Roja celebrated their greatest honour in 12 years in Madrid’s Cibeles Square the day after their triumph over England.
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