Alvaro Morata and Rodri charged by UEFA for provocative Gibraltar chants

Spain’s Euro 2024 winning skipper Alvaro Morata and Player of the tournament winner Rodri have been placed under investigation by UEFA’s ethics and disciplinary committee for their chants about Gibraltar. The duo were spotted singing chants about Gibraltar being a part of Spain and not the UK during Spain’s Euro title celebrations in Madrid on July 15.

Celebrating their glory after Spain secured a 2-1 victory over England in the European Championship final held in Berlin, Morata and Rodri sang “Gibraltar is Spanish” during a public celebration in Madrid. Gibraltar, a British territory at the southern tip of Spain, was the focal point of the chant. In response to the incident, Gibraltar’s Football Association lodged a formal complaint with UEFA, prompting the appointment of an ethics and disciplinary inspector to determine if the chant violated any regulations.

Upon the result of the initial investigation held by UEFA, both Rodri and Morata face multiple charges that include breaching the basic rules of decent conduct, violating general principles of conduct, using sporting events for non-sporting manifestations, and bringing the sport of football into disrepute.It was only July 19, when UEFA reacted upon Gibraltar’s initial complaint by declaring the investigation procedure against the Spanish duo.

On July 15, the day after Spain secured a 2-1 victory over England in the European Championship final held in Berlin, Morata and Rodri sang “Gibraltar is Spanish” during a public celebration in Madrid. Gibraltar, a British territory at the southern tip of Spain, was the focal point of the chant.

“In response to the incident, Gibraltar’s Football Association lodged a formal complaint with UEFA, prompting the appointment of an ethics and disciplinary inspector to determine if the chant violated any regulations,” the initial UEFA statement read.

Upon this recent development, Gibraltar FA have also released a stament where they have welcomed the investigation on Rodri and Morata by UEFA.

“The Gibraltar FA welcomes the announcement today that UEFA has decided to open formal disciplinary proceedings against Rodri and lvaro Morata further to the complaint filed by the Gibraltar FA with UEFA. This is an important first step in order to establish the unlawfulness of the chant on the basis of the grounds put forward by the Gibraltar FA in its complaint,” the statement read.

It is yet to be disclosed about what kind of punishment the Spanish duo might be slammed with, which could range from a hefty fine to atleast a double-match ban.

Published By:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published On:

Jul 23, 2024

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