Rodri and Alvaro Morata have been charged by UEFA who have opened “disciplinary proceedings” against the pair after their “Gibraltar is Spanish” chant.

The two Spaniards took part in the song as they celebrated Spain’s Euro 2024 success back in their homeland. The UK’s control of Gibraltar, located on the Spanish coast, has long been an emotive subject and the chants were not well received by all.

Morata and Rodri have now been charged with “general principles of conduct, violating the basic rules of decent conduct, using sporting events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature, and bringing the sport of football, and Uefa in particular, into disrepute”.

The Gibraltar Football Association (GFA) had made an official complaint about the celebrations to UEFA and the governing body appointed a disciplinary inspector to “evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations”. Their control, ethics and disciplinary body (CEDB) will make a decision on the issue “in due course”.

Rodri risks UK anger as he chants “Gibraltar is Spanish” during Euros celebrations

Rodri and Alvaro Morata under UEFA investigation for antics during Euro 2024 celebrations
The chant by Rodri and Morata took place in front of tens of thousands of Spanish fans in Cibeles Square, Madrid on 15 July. The nation were celebrating their final success over England with Rodri beginning the chant before Morata, who captained his country, later joining in.

When ­Morata reminded Rodri that he played for an English side in Manchester City the latter replied: “I don’t care.” Rodri’s exploits at the Euros, coupled with his club efforts, have seen him tipped to become the first Spaniard to win the Ballon d’Or.

Gibraltar has been under British rule since the 18th Century and Spain has long called for its return. The Gibraltar FA complained about Spain’s behaviour, saying it had “noted the extremely provocative and insulting nature of the celebrations around the Spanish Men’s national team winning Euro 2024”.

Rodri caused controversy when he sang to a Spanish crowd as his nation celebrated their Euro win ( 
Image:
SEFutbol)

At the recent Euros in Germany, UEFA banned Albania player Mirlind Daku for two games after leading fans in nationalist chants against Serbia and North Macedonia.

The player’s actions were endorsed by some conservative and far-right politicians including Madrid’s mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida. He said: “The players didn’t say anything that most Spaniards don’t believe.” Javier Ortega-Smith, a senior member of the far-right Vox party, retweeted a video of the chant, adding: “Sí.”