Ballon d’Or favourite Rodri finds himself in hot water as he, alongside Spain captain Alvaro Morata, faces a potential UEFA suspension following Gibraltar chants during the EURO 2024 celebration.
An investigation by UEFA has been launched into Rodri and Morata’s acts following the incident.
Rodri and Morata’s chants about Gibraltar
In a video that went viral on social media, captain Morata initiated the chant, “It’s Spanish, Gibraltar is Spanish.” The reference was made to the peninsula located at the southernmost point of Spain, which is British territory.
Then Rodri, who recently became one of the favourites to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or, picked up the microphone and joined in on the chant. Morata can be heard telling Rodri, “Man, you play in England.” Since its acquisition by the British in 1713, Gibraltar has often refused to submit to Spanish rule.
UEFA investigates incident
In reaction to the video, the Gibraltar FA filed an official complaint with UEFA earlier this week. In response, UEFA appointed an inspector to investigate a possible disciplinary rule infraction.
In a statement, the ruling body wrote, per The Mirror, “A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector is being appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations by the players Rodrigo Hernández Cascante and Álvaro Morata in the context of conduct that occurred during the public presentation of the UEFA EURO 2024 trophy in Madrid on 15 July 2024. Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”
The Gibraltan Football Association called the chanting “extremely provocative and insulting” when they declared their intention to file a complaint. They have welcomed he announcement that UEFA is investigating the event.
