Spain handed double FIFA punishment following Islamophobic chanting during Egypt friendly

FIFA have fined Spain $20,000 (£15,000) and ordered a partial stadium closure following Islamophobic chanting during their friendly against Egypt in March. The chants were heard during the first half and again at the start of the second period.

A section of supporters were reportedly heard singing: "Bote, bote, bote, musulman el que no bote," which translates as "Jump, jump, jump, whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim."

An anti-discrimination message was subsequently displayed inside the stadium condemning 'Islamophobic and xenophobic' chanting. FIFA launched disciplinary proceedings against the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following the incident, with Spain manager Luis de la Fuente among those to condemn the behaviour.

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"I am repulsed by and absolutely reject any form of xenophobia or racism - it's completely intolerable," De la Fuente said. "I don't know exactly what the protocol is, but I think it was the right decision to display the message on the scoreboard and make the announcement.

"Those [chanting] are a disgrace and the majority [inside the stadium] whistled them. There's nothing else to say. They are not representative of football.

"They take advantage of football, as they do in other areas of life. They need to be removed from society, the further away, the better."

The RFEF also reiterated its stance against discrimination, writing on social media: "The RFEF stands against racism in football and condemns any act of violence inside stadiums."

Spain forward Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim, also criticised the supporters involved, branding them 'ignorant and racist.' The Egyptian Football Association described the chanting as a 'repugnant act of racism.'

As part of FIFA's punishment, Spain must close 15% of the stadium for their next friendly.

However, the BBC reports that, subject to FIFA approval, the affected seats could still be occupied by community or special-interest groups, including families, students and anti-discrimination organisations.