UEFA determines against Spanish European champions
The Spanish European champions celebrate wildly - however, statements made during the celebrations draw the attention of the European football association. The UEFA is investigating captains Alvaro Morata and Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante (Rodri) of the Spanish team.
The European Football Union is conducting investigations against Alvaro Morata and Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante (Rodri) of the Spanish national team, as announced by the UEFA. An ethics and disciplinary inspector will be appointed to examine a possible violation of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations "in relation to the behavior during the public presentation" of the EM trophy on Monday evening in Madrid.
During the Spanish national team's celebration after their fourth title win, there were minor irritations. Morata presented the players individually on a large stage before thousands of fans. When right-back Dani Carvajal was up, Morata tried to make fun of Jamal Musiala. He called Carvajal, who had fouled Musiala, a "Pitbull," asked sarcastically, "Where is Musiala? Where is he?", and added, "The best right-back in the world, Dani Carvajal!" The Spanish team had dramatically eliminated the German national team in the EM quarterfinals in extra time.
Gibraltar football association complains of provocation
Even the losing final opponent, England, had their turn. Midfielder Rodri repeatedly sang the famous chant of Spanish fans, with which they taunt English opponents: "Gibraltar is Spanish," sang the 28-year-old and many of his teammates and fans joined in.
Gibraltar has been a contentious issue between Madrid and London for over three centuries. The area at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, which is only about as large as the eastern Frisian island of Baltrum, was taken into possession by the United Kingdom in 1704. Spain considers Gibraltar to be illegally occupied territory and a British colony. The Gibraltar Football Association has officially lodged a complaint with the UEFA regarding the "extremely provocative and insulting" statements.
The UEFA Disciplinary Regulations are under scrutiny due to the actions of Alvaro Morata and Rodri during the Spanish Football-Nationalteam's celebration at the European Football Championship 2024. The Gibraltar football association has raised concerns about the repeated chanting of a provocative song by Spain's midfielder Rodri, which refers to Gibraltar, a point of contention between Spain and the UK.
