Spain stars Rodri and Alvaro Morata have been suspended by UEFA for chanting ‘Gibraltar is in Spain’ following their Euro 2024 triumph over England

Spanish European champions Rodri and Alvaro Morata have been suspended by UEFA over controversial comments made following their European Championship triumph.

Last month in Berlin, Spain beat England to win a record fourth European title.

During their post-match celebration, Rodri and captain Morata were caught chanting “Gibraltar is Spanish”, prompting UEFA to open disciplinary proceedings against the pair after the Gibraltar FA lodged a formal complaint.

Both men were subsequently charged in late July, with UEFA’s disciplinary body having the power to impose suspensions simultaneously for domestic and club European competitions.

UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body suspended both players for one match, finding them guilty of “failure to respect general principles of conduct, violation of basic rules of good conduct, use of sporting events for events of a non-sporting nature and bringing football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute.”

Spain’s next match is the Nations League opener against Serbia on September 5.

The Gibraltar Football Association said it was “pleased” that UEFA had “recognised the seriousness of this incident” and acted accordingly.

“This decision sends a clear message that football must remain a platform for promoting peace, understanding and fair play, free from divisive and offensive actions such as chanting,” the Gibraltar FA added.

The Gibraltar peninsula lies at the southern tip of Spain, although it has been a British territory since 1713, repeatedly rejecting the opportunity to come under Spanish sovereignty.

The Gibraltar Football Association described Morata and Rodri’s comments as “extremely provocative and insulting”.

“The Gibraltar FA has noted the extremely provocative and offensive nature of the celebrations surrounding the Spanish men’s national team’s victory at Euro 2024,” the statement read.

“The Association is this morning taking advice on lodging a complaint with European football’s governing body, UEFA, regarding the unacceptable chants and songs, relating to Gibraltar, sung by the players of the Spanish men’s national team after winning Euro 2024.