The Gibraltar FA puts in formal complaint to UEFA after 'Gibraltar is Spanish' chants

Gibraltar's Football Association has filed a formal complaint to UEFA after the Spanish players chanted 'Gibraltar is Spanish' in their post-Euro 2024 celebrations.

According to ESPN, the Gibraltar FA said: "The conduct in question is deeply offensive to Gibraltarians, who have repeatedly exercised their democratic rights to remain a British Overseas Territory."

The Gibraltar FA added that the chants were "extremely provocative and insulting in their nature," adding that the players' conduct was 'unlawful' and in breach of UEFA's disciplinary regulations.

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"It is Spanish, Gibraltar is Spanish," was how Rodrigo Hernández, the Spanish midfielder better known as Rodri, sparked controversy during the Euro 2024 celebrations. 'La Roja' had a wild party in Madrid (Spain) to celebrate their fourth European title.

A crowd of more than half a million fans welcomed the Euro 2024 champions near the Plaza de Cibeles. The streets were packed with people, while an open bus took the players around the Spanish capital. The atmosphere was ecstatic!

During the team celebration, team captain Álvaro Morata called his teammates onto the stage one by one. They all took turns with the microphone to sing or share a few words with the fans.

It was at this moment that Manchester City player, Rodri (born in Madrid), also began to chant "it is Spanish, Gibraltar is Spanish," in front of the sea of fans, who naturally joined in on the chants. It's a long-standing joke amongst Spaniards, with a historical reference to the English sovereignty in Gibraltar.

The Rock of Gibraltar was attacked and taken by the English during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1713). 

According to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was during the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, that Article X cedes "the full and entire ownership of the city and castle of Gibraltar, together with its port, defenses, and fortresses belonging thereto," to the British Crown.

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The celebratory chants in Madrid echoed all the way back to the UK, where national newspapers such as the Daily Mail described the moments as "unpleasant", while recalling that Gibraltar is British territory.

According to the Spanish publication Marca, the local Gibraltar government has voiced its frustration with the 'Roja' chants during their celebration in Madrid. In an official statement from the local government, they labeled the comments as "repulsive and politically discriminatory".

In fact, the territory located on a small peninsula in the south of the Iberian Peninsula has been a British overseas territory since the 18th century. However, it's a complex geopolitical conflict that is yet to see a full resolution. 

The matter is a "sensitive political issue", according to the Daily Record. For the United Nations, Gibraltar, as a colony, is one of the non-self-governing territories under the supervision of its Special Committee on Decolonization. On the other hand, Spain understands that part of the territory is illegally occupied by the United Kingdom.

Hence, Spain considers that the isthmus, like the adjacent waters or the overlying airspace, was not ceded. As AS recalls, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "that is the reason why Spain has always stressed that the occupation of the isthmus is illegal and contrary to International Law and, therefore, has always demanded its return without conditions."

Despite all the controversy, the chants nor the consequences seemed to worry Rodri. According to Daily Record, at the end of the chant, Morata took the microphone and said: "Listen, you play in England, partner." To which Rodri replied: "I don't care." After all, he is the king of Europe now.

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