Gibraltar files complaint with UEFA over offensive chants by Spanish players: Here's all you need to know

The government of Gibraltar has denounced the "rancid remarks" made by members of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning team during a victory rally in Madrid.

Controversial player chants

Following Spain’s 2-1 victory over England in the final, the controversy reportedly began when Spain’s captain, ?lvaro Morata, and midfielder Rodri chanted “Gibraltar es espa?ol” ["Gibraltar is Spanish"] at a celebration in Plaza de Cibeles.

Morata’s reminder to Rodri that he played for an English club, Manchester City, was met with Rodri’s dismissive response: “I don’t care.” This behavior prompted a swift and furious reaction from Gibraltar’s government, which has been a British territory since 1713.

The Gibraltar government stated: “His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar is disappointed to note that several players of the Spanish male national football team celebrated their European Cup win with chants of rancid remarks about Gibraltar. This is a totally unnecessary mixing of a great sporting success with discriminatory political statements that are hugely offensive to Gibraltarians. The lamentable use of the platform of celebrations around winning the Eurocup for advancing the idea of usurping the territory of Gibraltar is contrary to the principle that sport should not be used to advance any politically controversial ideology.”

The Gibraltar FA labelled the chants as "extremely provocative and insulting" and announced plans to file an official complaint to UEFA, stating: "Football has no place for behaviour of this nature."

However, the players' actions received support from conservative and far-right politicians. Madrid’s conservative mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, remarked to Telecinco: “The players didn’t say anything that most Spaniards don’t believe.” Javier Ortega-Smith of the far-right Vox party shared a video of the chant, adding: “Sí.”

What is Gibraltar issue?

Gibraltar, situated at the southern tip of Spain, has remained a British overseas region since the War of the Spanish Succession in 1713.

It is the only existing UK enclave in continental Europe with around 35,000 residents residing there.

Since Brexit, which set a hard border between Gibraltar and mainland Spain, calls for its return to Spain have become stronger, thereby muddling the movement of people and goods across the regions.

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Wikipedia

No conclusive agreement has been reached between Madrid and London even after 19 rounds of negotiations were held. During the 2016 Brexit referendum, 96% of Gibraltar voters chose to stay in the EU.

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Rodri's remarks are the latest in the sphere of political and diplomatic incidents at Euro 2024. UEFA, which has shown zero tolerance for political provocations, has not yet commented, but disciplinary action is anticipated. This summer, UEFA has fined several countries and banned journalists for nationalist gestures during the tournament.

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