Attention to detail is of the utmost importance during celebratory events. This was evidenced by the experience of some Spanish national team players during the victory parade that followed their record fourth UEFA European Football Championship win. This brief piece aims to shed light on the matter of a celebration turned into a potential nightmare.

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Troubles in paradise

Just two days after the Spanish national team won its fourth European Championship title, an incident with international implications occurred. The Gibraltar Football Association (GFA) announced its decision to file an official complaint before UEFA, the European football governing body. This was related to the fact that some Spanish national team members chanted provocative messages during the victory celebration in Spain. This incident has not only sparked a global conversation about sportsmanship and respect in football but also brought to light the broader implications of such actions in the international sports community.

The GFA and the Gibraltarian government have stood together in expressing their strong disapproval of the events that unfolded during Spain’s celebration on 15 July 2024. Their united front is evident in the GFA’s official complaint to UEFA, which highlights the alleged highly provocative and offensive nature of the celebrations. The statement underscores the unacceptability of such behavior in football, making it clear that there is no place for it in the sport.

During the title celebration in Madrid, a chant that reverberated the most was “Gibraltar is Spanish.” This chant holds significant weight as it directly relates to the enduring territorial dispute between Spain and the UK over Gibraltar. The fact that it was led by midfielder Rodrigo Hernández, a player from the English side of Manchester City, and enthusiastically joined by Álvaro Morata, a former Chelsea footballer, further fueled the controversy. Visual reports also pointed out that two other European champions playing in the Premier League, David Raya from Arsenal and Marc Cucurella from Chelsea, were among the footballers chanting the expression above.

On 19 July 2024, UEFA announced the appointment of an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to investigate a potential violation of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations by players Mr. Rodrigo Hernández and Mr. Álvaro Morata. The alleged misconduct took place during the public presentation of the 2024 UEFA European Championship trophy in Madrid on 15 July 2024, as mentioned above.

The specific details of the incident were not disclosed, but some media reports suggest that both players could face a two-match ban due to their actions. It's important to note that according to Article 31.4 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, the UEFA Executive Committee, President, General Secretary, and its disciplinary bodies (Appeals Body and Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body) have the authority to appoint Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors, whose primary duty is to investigate breaches of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.

This scenario demonstrates how UEFA keeps an eye on inappropriate comments or behavior from footballers during goal celebrations or trophy ceremonies, as evidenced by the case of Turkish star Merih Demiral. Imposing a potential penalty on the mentioned Spanish footballers by the European football governing body could serve as a reminder to athletes that they are still under the scrutiny of disciplinary authorities even during moments of celebration.