UEFA suspends Morata and Rodri after ‘Gibraltar Español’ chants

Two Spanish national football players have been suspended by UEFA after they led chants of ‘Gibraltar es Español’ during the celebrations in Madrid following Spain’s Euro 2024 victory.

Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, better known as Rodri, and Álvaro Morata have been banned from taking part in Spain’s next international match.

UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings after an official complaint was submitted by the Gibraltar FA.

Following the proceedings the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) took the decision to impose a one-match ban on both players.

UEFA’s CEDB said Rodri and Morata failed to comply with the general principles of conduct; violated the basic rules of decent conduct; used a sporting event for manifestations of a non-sporting nature; and brought the “sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute”.

Moments after the ruling was made public on Wednesday, the Gibraltar Football Association said it was “delighted” to see its complaint upheld, which resulted in both players receiving a one-match ban.

“This article [in UEFA’s rules] mandates respect for the principles of ethical conduct, loyalty, integrity, and sportsmanship, and prohibits actions that insult and violate basic rules of decent conduct, or use sporting events for non-sporting manifestations,” the GFA said.

“The decision by UEFA reinforces the principle that the chants ‘Gibraltar es Español’, have brought the sport of football, and in particular UEFA, into disrepute, and confirms that there is no place for politically charged or discriminatory behaviour in football.”

“The core issue at hand was the inappropriate and inflammatory nature of the chants, which not only disrespected the people of Gibraltar but also brought politics into a sporting arena, undermining the values of unity and respect that the sport embodies.”

“The Gibraltar FA is pleased that UEFA has acknowledged the severity of this incident and has 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.”

“We remain committed to upholding these values and will continue to advocate for respect within the sport.”

The decision could see both Morata and Rodri miss Spain’s first Nations League match against Serbia in September, unless another official match were to be played beforehand.

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said the decision “vindicates” the GFA in a post on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

Mr Picardo has previously condemned the chants and stressed the importance of UEFA’s decision.

“The decision by UEFA makes a powerful point to all who would mix sports and politics,” Mr Picardo posted.

“It vindicates the GFA's decision to act and complain. Perhaps more importantly, it rightly highlights that the chant in question brings football into disrepute. “

“In the end, one match [suspension] makes the point.”

“But the final result is unchanged: Gibraltar belongs to the Gibraltarians and no chanting or anything else will ever change that.”

Leader of the Opposition Keith Azopardi said he welcomed the decision on a post on X.

“Welcome this decision which penalizes the players’ conduct and recognises that sport was brought into disrepute by the unacceptable chants,” he posted.

“The rights of Gibraltar and our people aren’t to be abused on a sporting stage.”

In a press statement, the Minister for Sport, Leslie Bruzon, said he was satisfied that UEFA had recognised the gravity of this incident and this ruling sent a “strong message”.

“This outcome highlights that the players' actions breached UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, specifically article 11, which emphasises respect, ethical conduct, loyalty, integrity, and sportsmanship,” Mr Bruzon said.

“It strictly forbids any behaviour that insults or violates basic standards of conduct, or exploits sporting events for non-sporting agendas. I’m satisfied that UEFA recognised the gravity of this incident and responded appropriately.”

“This ruling sends a strong message that football should remain a venue for fostering peace, understanding, and fair play, devoid of any politically charged or discriminatory actions.”

The ruling was just 48 hours ahead of Spain’s Olympic finals football match against hosts France.

According to Spanish media, both Morata and Rodri are expected to challenge the decision.

The GFA is also waiting for a second UEFA ruling on the actions of Irish club Shelbourne’s fans, who also chanted “Gibraltar es Español” during a match at Europa Point against St Joseph in the UEFA Conference League.

Supporters of the Irish club were seen repeating the chants sung by both Morata and Rodri during the match and at the final whistle.

The Irish Independent has claimed that Irish football club Shelbourne has been fined €21,850 for the behaviour of their fans.

Shelbourne are expected to be sanctioned for their fans’ behaviour ahead of their next European club competition matches which would be next season after they exited the Conference League last week having been beaten by Zurich.

Shelbourne FC, whose sanction has not been published on UEFA’s official disciplinary pages online, could still face a fine and a ban on their fans in their next away match.

This likely to be in the Champions League if they were to continue their results presently topping the Irish League table.

St Joseph’s could also face a fine over gestures made by one of their technical staff members during the same match against Shelbourne fans and captured in images by Irish fans.

UEFA’s decision on Wednesday drew an angry response in Spain.

The Spanish Footballers Association (AFE) denounced the decision as “authoritarian and unjust”.

“AFE believes that UEFA has severely attacked the right to freedom of expression of both footballers, who sang ‘Gibraltar Español’ outside of their work environment during the celebration party after Spain won the 2024 Euro Cup,” the Association said.

“In response to this serious decision, the association will send formal letters to the European Union and to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) office in Spain, understanding that the rights of two workers, Álvaro Morata and Rodrigo Hernández, who simply expressed a personal opinion freely, have been clearly violated.”

“The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union clearly states in Article 11 that ‘everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right includes the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers’."

AFE said that they will approach the ILO “considering that UEFA's Disciplinary Regulations infringe upon fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression, in their capacity not only as workers but also as citizens.”

The players have the right to appeal the decision, with UEFA already having in place an Appeals Body which hears appeals against decisions by the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body and rules on particularly urgent cases referred to it directly by the chairman of the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body.

UEFA’s Appeals Body consists of a chairman, two vice-chairmen and eleven other members.

The appeals body presently has as chairman Pedro Tomás Marqués who has been chairman since July 2011 according to UEFA’s official website.

According to UEFA’s website, an appeal can be lodged with a written ‘declaration of appeal’ with the UEFA administration, for the attention of the Appeals Body, within three days of the issuance of the relevant decision with grounds.

Then, within five days of the deadline for submission of the declaration of appeal, the appellant must file, in writing, the grounds for appeal.

However, with both players having received just a one match ban, the same website notes that decisions by the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body cannot be appealed where the disciplinary measure imposed in the first instance is limited to a warning, a reprimand, and an automatic one-match suspension following a dismissal.

Moreover, a decision cannot be appealed if the party failed to request the grounds of that decision by the relevant deadline.

UPDATE: This post was updated on August 8 to reflect further responses following the suspension.