Manchester City star Rodri and his Spain teammate and captain Alvaro Morata have been banned for one match by UEFA for chanting “Gibraltar is Spanish” as they celebrated winning Euro 2024.
The Premier League midfielder, 28, chanted the slogan after he took the microphone at a victory event in Madrid on 15 July, the day after they beat England 2-1 in the final in Berlin.
When Morata, 31, reminded him he played for an English club, Rodri, the player of the tournament in Germany, said: “I don’t care.”
UEFA’s Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Body said in a statement the pair violated the basic rules of decent conduct, used a sporting event for something of a non-sporting nature, and brought the sport, “and UEFA in particular”, into disrepute.
The Gibraltar FA described Rodri and Morata’s actions as “deeply offensive”, prompting UEFA to appoint an ethics and disciplinary inspector to evaluate their actions.
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory but has long been claimed by Spain.
Following the celebrations, a statement from the territory’s government claimed “several” Spanish players had chanted “rancid remarks about Gibraltar”.
“This is a totally unnecessary mixing of sporting success with discriminatory political statements that are hugely offensive to Gibraltarians,” it added.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar’s chief minister, was equally scathing in a post on X – which he signed off: “The Rock is OURS.”
The Gibraltar FA said it was “pleased” UEFA had “acknowledged the severity of this incident” and 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,” the body added.
Read more from Sky News:
UK riots latest: More than 100 protests planned
Team GB runner’s spat with Frenchman after race fall
Tory MP accused of ‘textbook Islamaphobia’
Spain’s next match is the opening fixture of the Nations League away to Serbia on 5 September. Rodri and Morata will both be banned for this match.
Rodri came off at half-time with the score goalless in the Euro 2024 final against England in Berlin, but his team went on to triumph 2-1 without him, with the winning goal scored in the 86th minute.
