Spain to seek CAS arbitration over FIFA sanctions for Islamophobic chants
Spain's football federation to appeal FIFA sanctions for Islamophobic chants during Egypt match
The Spanish Football Federation has decided to seek arbitration from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after FIFA rejected its appeal against sanctions imposed for Islamophobic chants during a friendly match against Egypt.
According to Reuters, FIFA had imposed a $20,000 fine on the Spanish Football Federation and ordered that at least 15% of the stadium seats be left empty during their next home friendly match.
The incident occurred in March at the RCDE Stadium near Barcelona, where some fans chanted slogans against Muslims during the World Cup preparation match, which ended goalless.
Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim, had condemned the chants, calling them "unbearable".
The Spanish Federation argued that it had taken immediate action and cooperated fully with the authorities, but FIFA's disciplinary committee found that the use of discriminatory language was not limited to clear insults, but also depended on the context.
The case will now be decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.