Spain clinched the European Championships in Berlin on Sunday, triumphing over England with a 2-1 victory.
The Gibraltar Football Association (FA) has announced plans to file an official complaint with UEFA in response to Manchester City star Rodri and Spain’s Euro 2024 celebrations.
La Roja secured their record-breaking fourth European Championships title at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Despite Rodri being substituted at half-time due to injury, the game saw Mikel Oyarzabal score a late winner after a 0-0 first half.
The match appeared to be heading for extra-time after Cole Palmer’s equalizer nullified Nico Williams’ early second-half goal. However, Luis de la Fuerte’s squad rallied, ultimately handing England their second consecutive final defeat in the tournament. Celebrations continued in Madrid on Monday night, where the Spanish team received a hero’s welcome.
Rodri, who was named Player of the Tournament, was seen leading a chant that translated to, “It’s Spanish, Gibraltar is Spanish.”
The Gibraltar FA has condemned this chant, criticizing the “extremely provocative and insulting nature” of the celebrations in Madrid.
“The Gibraltar FA will make an official complaint to UEFA following the Spanish Men’s National Team Euro 2024 celebrations,” read their statement. “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 behavior of this nature.”
Gibraltar, a British territory since 1713 despite being an enclave in the south of Spain, remains a contentious issue as Spain continues to claim sovereignty. Gibraltar has been a full member of UEFA since 2013, participating in previous World Cup and European Championships qualification campaigns.
