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Fifa fines world champions Spain for Islamophobic chants in Egypt friendly
Spain have been fined $20,000 and ordered to partially close their stadium for their next friendly.
Fifa fines world champions Spain for Islamophobic chants in Egypt friendly
A big screen displays an anti discrimination message inside the stadium during the match.

Spain have been fined $20,000 and ordered to partially close their stadium for their next friendly after supporters chanted Islamophobic slogans twice during a game against Egypt in March, FIFA said in a statement.

The sanctions relate to incidents at the RCDE Stadium near Barcelona, home of LaLiga club Espanyol, during a World Cup warm-up match which ended in a 0-0 draw.

After the second occurrence of the chant, the stadium announcer issued a warning and the scoreboard displayed a message against discriminatory behaviour.

Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim, condemned the chants at the time, describing them as disrespectful and intolerable and calling those responsible "ignorant and racist".

Spanish police launched an investigation the following day while world governing body FIFA later started disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF).

FIFA fined the RFEF and ordered the closure of at least 15% of available seats for Spain's next friendly.

SOURCE:Reuters