The Gibraltar Football Association has launched a complaint with UEFA over ‘provocative’ songs sung by Spain’s players during their Euro 2024 party. Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata performed renditions of ‘Gibraltar is Spanish’ in their mother tongue in front of tens of thousands of fans.
Spain defeated England in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday night, scoring a dramatic 84th-minute winner to seal a 2-1 triumph. Rodri made reference to the political situation of British island Gibraltar during the celebrations.
Celebrating at the Madrid venue of Plaza de Cibeles, Rodri stepped off the parade bus and started bellowing: “Gib-ral-tar, Gibraltar es espanol, Gibraltar es espanol, Gibraltar es es-pan-ol!”
The 28-year-old continued the chant as he emerged on stage and sung it alongside Spain captain Morata. Fans began to shout the chant back to them in unison.
Gibraltar has been a British territory since 1713 when it was ceded by the Spanish. The country’s football governing body has called the chant ‘provocative’ and ‘insulting’, and has filed a complaint with UEFA.
A statement read: “The Gibraltar FA has noted the extremely provocative and insulting nature of the celebrations around the Spanish Men’s national team winning Euro 2024.
“The Association is this morning taking advice on the filing of a complaint to European Football’s governing body, UEFA, in relation to the unacceptable chanting and songs, relating to Gibraltar, sung by Spain’s Men’s National Team players after winning Euro 2024.
“Football has no place for behaviour of this nature.”
Rodri and Morata walked off stage and were filmed laughing together. The latter could be heard reminding the City star, who was named Player of the Tournament: “You play in England, mate.”
“I don’t care,” was Rodri’s blunt response.
UEFA has not announced whether or not it plans to investigate the chant. HM Government of Gibraltar has labelled the chant ‘rancid’ and said it was ‘disappointed’ over the phrase used by the Spanish players.
The government said: “The lamentable use of the platform of celebrations around winning the Eurocup for advancing the idea of usurping the territory of Gibraltar is contrary to the principle that sport should not be used to advance any politically controversial ideology.”
Spain’s victory over England means the Three Lions will go 60 years without a major tournament success. Gareth Southgate has stepped down as manager after eight years in the job.
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