Rodri charged by UEFA for Gibraltar’s ‘extremely offensive’ chant after Euro 2024 win

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri has been charged by UEFA over comments he made about Gibraltar after his side’s victory in the Euro 2024 final.

During Spanish public celebrations of their victory, Rodri sang “Gibraltar es Espanol” (Gibraltar is Spanish) – a reference to the ongoing territorial dispute. Gibraltar is officially a British Overseas Territory, but Spanish officials believe it should be under their jurisdiction.

Morata quickly responded to Rodri by saying, “But you play in England, buddy.”

An official complaint was made by the Gibraltar FA, accusing Rodri and other Spanish players of “deeply offensive” comments and mixing politics with sport, and UEFA has now opened proceedings.

“Disciplinary measures have been introduced in accordance with Article 55 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR) against Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante and Alvaro Morata for conduct that occurred during the public presentation of the 2024 UEFA European Championship trophy in Madrid on 15 July 2024,” UEFA’s statement was read.

Not only have Rodri and Morata been charged with breaching UEFA’s general rules of conduct, but the two are now being investigated for “using sporting events to demonstrate an unsportsmanlike nature” and “bringing the sport of football, and UEFA in particular. , into shame”.

News of the investigation was met with excitement from the Gibraltar FA.

“This is an important first step to ensure that this song is illegal on the grounds set by the GFA,” the statement read.

“The Gibraltar FA is now awaiting the board’s decision when the matter is heard.”

Rodri has been named as the player of the tournament for Euro 2024 after a superb summer, which continued his impressive title haul of the past few years.

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