According to The Express Tribune, football's world governing body FIFA has ruled that at least 15% of available seats must stay closed at Spain's next home friendly, mainly in the stands behind the goals. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) was also fined $20,000.
The sanction relates to Spain's goalless friendly against Egypt on March 31 at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona, where a group of home supporters chanted against Muslims during the first half and early in the second. An anti-discrimination warning was shown on the stadium screen and an announcement urged fans to stop.
The federation had argued the chant was not discriminatory and that the word 'Muslim' is not inherently insulting. FIFA's Disciplinary Committee rejected that, finding that words harmless on their own can become discriminatory when used to ridicule a religious identity.
With FIFA's approval, the federation may give the closed seats to groups such as families, students and anti-discrimination organisations, provided it submits a plan with visible anti-discrimination measures at least 15 days before the match. FIFA acknowledged that Spanish officials took preventive steps and condemned the incident.
After the match, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente called the chants 'intolerable', and Muslim winger Lamine Yamal said using religion as a taunt was disrespectful and racist. The Egyptian Football Association described the chants as a repugnant act of racism.
The sanction applies only to Spain's next home friendly, not a competitive game, and its timing could slip because of Spain's Nations League and Euro 2028 qualifying schedule.
More on The Express Tribune.