European football governing body, UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Spain captain Alvaro Morata and team-mate Rodri after they chanted “Gibraltar is Spanish” during their Euro 2024 victory celebrations.
The Gibraltar Football Association, GFA made an official complaint about the celebrations to UEFA which then appointed a disciplinary inspector to evaluate a potential violation of its disciplinary regulations.
Morata and Rodri have now been charged with general principles of conduct, violating the basic rules of decent conduct, using sporting events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature, and bringing the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute.
The chanting took place in front of tens of thousands of Spanish fans in Cibeles Square, Madrid on the 15th of July as players celebrated their 2-1 win over England in the Euro 2024 final.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri could be seen chanting Gibraltar is Spanish on the stage and Morata later encouraged the crowd to join in with the same chant.
The GFA complained about Spain’s behaviour, saying it had noted the extremely provocative and insulting nature of the celebrations around the Spanish Men’s national team winning Euro 2024.
UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body is to make a decision on the issue shortly.
Gibraltar is an enclave at the southern tip of Spain that has been under British rule since the 18th Century and Spain has long called for its return.
Gibraltar has been a full member of Uefa since 2013.