Connect with us

Sports

Gibraltar accuses Spanish players of ‘hugely offensive’ remarks during Euro 2024 celebrations

Published

on

Gibraltar accuses Spanish players of ‘hugely offensive’ remarks during Euro 2024 celebrations

The territory’s football association calls the comments “extremely provocative” and is to lodge an official complaint with UEFA.


Gibraltar has accused Spanish players of making “rancid” and “hugely offensive” statements while celebrating their Euro 2024 win over England.

Manchester City star Rodri sang “Gibraltar is Spanish” as he took the mic in front of thousands of fans in Madrid on Monday night.

Gibraltar has been a British Overseas Territory since 1713, but many in Spain believe it should be returned and it remains a delicate diplomatic topic.

Rodri’s on-stage antics happened as he and the other players partied in front of supporters a day after their 2-1 win over the Three Lions.



Image:
Madrid’s Plaza Cibeles was packed with fans. Pic: Reuters

The football association of Gibraltar said it had “noted the extremely provocative and insulting nature of the celebrations” and would make an official complaint to UEFA.

A statement from the territory’s government claimed “several” Spanish players had chanted “rancid remarks about Gibraltar”.

“This is a totally unnecessary mixing of sporting success with discriminatory political statements that are hugely offensive to Gibraltarians,” it added.



Image:
Gibraltar’s status remains a sensitive diplomatic issue. Pic: iStock

Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar’s chief minister, was equally scathing in a post on X – which he signed off: “The Rock is OURS”.

“Mixing a sporting victory and the chant that glorifies the dictatorial politics of a mass murderer like Franco and his fascist regime’s attempt to usurp a neighbouring territory, that is also a UEFA nation, is worse than disgusting.”

“This cannot stand unchallenged,” he added.

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

Read more from Sky News:
Who could replace Southgate as manager?
Southgate’s record compared to other England managers

Rodri – who was named player of the tournament – and the Spanish football association have yet to comment.

The remarks come as the UK and Spain are still trying to finalise a post-Brexit deal for Gibraltar, which wasn’t covered by the agreement struck with the EU in 2020.

Continue Reading