UEFA hand Rodri and Alvaro Morata bans for Gibraltar chant after Spain’s win over England in Euros final

Both Spanish stars have been suspended by UEFA.

UEFA have handed bans to Rodri and Alvaro Morata after the Spanish duo chanted about Gibraltar following their Euro 2024 triumph.

Last month Spain beat England 2-1 in the final of Euro 2024, becoming the first nation to win the European Championship on four occasions.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri and then-Atletico Madrid striker Morata – who has since joined AC Milan – played key roles in Spain’s run to the final, as the team’s best player and captain respectively.

The pair remained in the spotlight during the public celebrations in Madrid the following day, although not for the right reasons.

The players were presented to thousands of Spanish supporters upon returning to Spain, with a stage set up in central Madrid.

Morata – as team captain – led the presentation, but things got controversial when he and Rodri got on the mic to chant about Gibraltar.

The British Overseas Territory is located at the southern tip of the Spanish mainland, but has been under British control since the 18th century.

The two players chanted: “Gibraltar is Spanish,” referencing Spain’s long-held territorial claim.

The Gibraltar FA were furious and lodged a formal complaint with UEFA over the “deeply offensive” chants.

They released a statement that read: “This is a totally unnecessary mixing of sporting success with discriminatory political statements that are hugely offensive to Gibraltarians.”

Rodri holds aloft the Euros trophy during Spain’s victory parade. Image: Getty

Gibraltar’s chief minister wrote on X: “Mixing a sporting victory and the chant that glorifies the dictatorial politics of a mass murderer like [General] Franco and his fascist regime’s attempt to usurp a neighbouring territory, that is also a UEFA nation, is worse than disgusting. This cannot stand unchallenged.”

UEFA charged both players, and now they have each received a one-match suspension for “violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sporting events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football & UEFA into disrepute.”

Fortunately for Man City and AC Milan, the suspensions apply to international football only.

That means that both will miss Spain’s opening Nations League fixture against Serbia on September 5.