Rodri and Alvaro Morata Banned by UEFA for Gibraltar Chant After Euro 2024 Victory
Yesterday, UEFA announced that it would be handing out suspensions to Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata for their chants about Gibraltar during the victory parade following Spain’s Euro 2024 win over England.
The Spanish duo remained in the spotlight after their nation’s triumph, with Rodri and Morata getting on the mic to lead the chants of "Gibraltar is Spanish" during the celebration. Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of Spain, was understandably upset by the incident and lodged a formal complaint with UEFA.
Morata, as team captain, was tasked with presenting the trophy to thousands of supporters in central Madrid. While presenting the trophy, he and Rodri sang the chant, which sparked widespread condemnation from fans, teams, and even the Gibraltar government. UEFA has now stepped in and punished the pair with a one-match ban 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".
The suspensions are effective only for international fixtures, meaning Rodri will miss Spain’s opening Nations League match against Serbia on September 5. It’s fortunate that the ban doesn’t affect their domestic schedules, as they can still compete for their clubs.
Rodri and Morata’s chants are considered deeply offensive to the Gibraltarian community. Their action has sparked heated debates among fans, with many accusing the Spanish duo of being insensitive and out of line. The incident serves as a harsh reminder of the importance of sportsmanship, respect, and unity, not only among players but also between nations.
What do you think? Should Rodri and Morata be punished for their chants? Let us know in the comments below.
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