The Gibraltar Football Association has welcomed UEFA’s decision to impose a 1 match ban to Spanish national team players Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (Rodri) and Álvaro Morata further to the complaint filed by the GFA. 

A statement from the GFA follows below:

The ban relates to their offensive and provocative chants against Gibraltar during the celebrations following Spain's Euro 2024 victory. 

The Gibraltar FA is delighted to see that the outcome of its complaint is the recognition and  confirmation that the players' chants of “Gibraltar es español” violated UEFA Disciplinary  Regulations, specifically Article 11. This article mandates respect for the principles of ethical  conduct, loyalty, integrity, and sportsmanship, and prohibits actions that insult and violate  basic rules of decent conduct, or use sporting events for non-sporting manifestations. 

The decision by UEFA reinforces the principle that the chants “Gibraltar es espanol”, have  brought the sport of football, and in particular UEFA, into disrepute, and confirms that there  is no place for politically charged or discriminatory behaviour in football. The core issue at  hand was the inappropriate and inflammatory nature of the chants, which not only  disrespected the people of Gibraltar but also brought politics into a sporting arena,  undermining the values of unity and respect that the sport embodies. 

The Gibraltar FA is pleased that UEFA has acknowledged the severity of this incident and has  acted accordingly. This decision sends a clear message that football must remain a platform  for promoting peace, understanding, and fair play, free from divisive and offensive actions such as the chants. 

We remain committed to upholding these values and will continue to advocate for respect  within the sport.