UEFA Charges Alvaro Morata and Rodri for Conduct Violation Over Gibraltar Chant

July 24, 2024

Alvaro Morata and Rodri have been charged by UEFA for breaching its “basic rules of decent conduct” after leading a chant claiming Gibraltar as Spanish during a celebration in Madrid. The incident occurred after Spain’s 2-1 victory over England in the Euro 2024 final.

UEFA announced the charges on Tuesday, accusing the Spain captain and midfielder of bringing the sport and UEFA into disrepute. The Gibraltar Football Association filed a formal complaint, leading to the disciplinary proceedings.

The chant, “Gibraltar is Spanish,” which Morata and Rodri led with thousands of fans, has sparked controversy due to Gibraltar’s status as a British overseas territory for over 300 years. The Gibraltar FA emphasized the importance of this disciplinary action, viewing it as a critical step in addressing the issue.

UEFA’s disciplinary body will determine the outcome, potentially suspending the players from Nations League matches in September. This case follows a precedent set at Euro 2024, where Albanian player Mirlind Daku was banned for nationalist chants.

Morata recently transferred from Atletico Madrid to AC Milan, while Rodri, who was named the player of the tournament at Euro 2024, plays for Manchester City.