Spain could face UEFA sanctions after official complaint lodged over Euro 2024 celebrations

Spain could be sanctioned by UEFA after an official complaint was made about their Euro 2024 celebrations.

On Sunday Spain beat England 2-1 in the final of Euro 2024 to become the first side to win the European Championship four times.

Luis de la Fuente’s side won all seven of their matches in Germany, including knockout stage wins against Germany and France.

The triumphant Spanish players and staff returned to Spain on Monday to celebrate their victory, with thousands of fans gathering in Madrid to welcome their heroes.

However, Spain could be punished by UEFA with the Gibraltar FA set to lodge an official complaint.

On Monday evening Spain’s stars appeared on a stage in-front of thousands of fans in the centre of Madrid, with each player given the chance to address the crowd.

Spain captain Alvaro Morata and Manchester City star Rodri – who was named UEFA’s Player of the Tournament – both sang controversial songs which included the lyric: “Gibraltar is Spanish.”

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory on Spain’s south coast, and has been under British control since 1713.

The subject of Gibraltar and who governs it is a popular talking point among Spanish far right political parties.

In response to the chants, the Gibraltar Football Association released the following statement:

“The Gibraltar FA has noted the extremely provocative and insulting nature of the celebrations around the Spanish Men’s national team winning Euro 2024.

Spain could be punished by UEFA after what Rodri and Morata did. [Getty]
Spain could be punished by UEFA after what Rodri and Morata did. [Getty]

“The Association is this morning taking advice on the filing of a complaint to European Football’s governing body, UEFA, in relation to the unacceptable chanting and songs, relating to Gibraltar, sung by Spain’s Men’s National Team players after winning Euro 2024.

“Football has no place for behaviour of this nature.”

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has been contacted for comment.

UEFA take a dim view of provocative messages shared by players both during and after matches.

Albania forward Mirlind Daku received a two-game suspension after he led his team’s supporters in derogatory chants following Albania’s 2-2 draw with Croatia at Euro 2024.

Uefa also fined the Albania Football Association £21,250 (€25,000) for “transmitting provocative messages not fit for a sports event”.

North Macedonia football federation demanded an apology following the incident.